New Delhi: Amidst the rising concerns of the new variant plaguing nations, 2 Omicron infections are detected in Karnataka, India informed Union Health Ministry on Thursday. As per the genome sequencing reports submitted by the state health authorities, the infected individuals have been identified as two men aged 46 and 66. Authorities however decided not to disclose their identities as a privacy protection protocol. Nevertheless, they have ramped up contact tracing and are conducting vigorous screening.

The Centre on Tuesday enforced stricter travel rules for arrivals from countries ‘at-risk’. States like Maharashtra, Karnataka and Chandigarh reported covid positive passengers under the new guidelines. The passengers samples were forwarded for genome sequencing while they were subjected to isolation and treatment as per protocol.

As per the information given in by Joint Health Sec Lav Agarwal at a news briefing, 373 cases across 29 countries have reported detection of the new South African variant. Precisely,70% of the global caseload has been attributed to Europe in comparison to South East Asia. An insight of the vaccination rates yielded 49% of adult population in India shielded against the virus, amongst which 84.3% adults were administered the first dose while 49% received both the jabs.

The Union ministry brough in several strategies to help battle the new variant and prevent its spread. States have re-inforced their COVID norms and under the instruction of the health ministry are enhancing their health care sectors.