A 3-year-old child was among seven new patients with the omicron variant of Covid-19 reported in Maharashtra on Friday, taking India's tally to 32 on a day when the government warned about weakening coronavirus precautions like mask-wearing.
Maharashtra on Friday reported 695 new Covid cases in the state, while 631 patients were discharged. The recovery rate in the state currently stands at 97.72%. Twelve Covid-19 deaths were reported and the case fatality rate is at 2.12%.
Earlier in the day, the health ministry said the country reported 25 omicron cases and all with mild symptoms. Of the 32 omicron cases, nine are in Rajasthan, three in Gujarat, 17 in Maharashtra, two in Karnataka, and one in Delhi.
ICMR chief Balram Bhargava advised caution against the new variant, saying that although omicron hasn’t yet posed a high threat to public healthcare, “we still need to be vigilant”. Bhargava also said, “We are trying to grow omicron in a laboratory. Once that’s done, we will be able to test the efficacy of vaccines.”
Dr VK Paul, Member-Health, NITI Aayog, said that usage of masks is showing a decline in India, which is a cause of concern. “Mask usage is declining in India. We have to remember that both vaccines and masks are important. As far as protection capability is concerned, we are now operating at a risky and unacceptable level. We should learn from the global situation,” he said.
