Skyline is seen as people spend time at Marine Drive in Mumbai. Delhi and Mumbai reported a surge in daily Covid cases.
Highlights
- Delhi and Mumbai, both cities on Wednesday reported a jump in daily Covid cases
- Mumbai saw 490 new cases while Delhi reported 125 infections
- PM Modi will hold a Covid review meeting on Thursday to check preparedness
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday will hold a Covid review meeting amid rising cases and Omicron threat. At present, India's Omicron tally stands at nearly 230 as per the health ministry's report. Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Delhi and Mumbai reported a surge in the daily tally of new cases. Delhi reported 125 cases -- highest in 6 months -- while Mumbai registered nearly 490 infections. Gujarat and Telangana also reported 9 and 14 new Omicron cases. With Christmas and New Year around the corner, Delhi has already banned huge gatherings while other cities have also refreshed guidelines in view of celebrations.
- In a statement, the Union health ministry said on Wednesday morning that the Omicron infection tally has reached 213 across the nation. However, out of the total Omicron positive cases, 90 have been discharged. So far 15 states have reported Omicron cases, said the ministry.
- At 57, Delhi has the highest cases of Omicron infection followed by Maharashtra with 54 cases, said the ministry report.
- Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has also called a review meeting on preparedness and management of new variant Omicron on Thursday.
- The Centre has said that the new Covid variant Omicron is three times more transmissible than the Delta variant.
- The Centre has asked the states to review the emerging data of Covid-19 affected population, geographical spread, hospital infrastructure and its utilisation, manpower, notifying Containment Zones and the enforcement of perimeter of containment zones at the district levels.
- The Centre has also asked the states to formulate a strategy that can ensure infection is contained at the local level itself before it spreads to other parts.
- Amid the Omicron threat, the states have been asked to 'activate war rooms and keep analysing all trends and surges, no matter how small and keep taking proactive measures at the district or local level'.
- Scientists have predicted that the third Covid wave in the country led by Omicron variant may peak in February and subside in a month.
- IIT Hyderabad scientists -- based on Covid tracker model -- have predicted that the third wave may come in the beginning of the new year but it will be milder than the second wave.
- Recent reports also show that in South Africa, where Omicron cases were first reported, is witnessing a dramatic drop in the daily caseload, showing early signs that the wave has attained its peak.
(With inputs from IANS)
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