Third Omicron case in India: Gujarat man who returned from Zimbabwe infected with new variant

Ahmedabad, Dec 04: The first case of Omicron variant in Gujarat reported in Jamnagar. A 72-year-old man who came from Zimbabwe was infected with the variant. This is the third case of Omicron variant in the country.

"The sample of the elderly man was sent for genome sequencing, after he tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday, the authorities said.

Gujarat's Commissioner of Health Jai Prakash Shivhare confirmed that the man was found infected with the Omicron strain.

Earlier, two persons had tested positive for this variant in Karnataka. The Omicron strain has been marked as a "variant of concern" by the World Health Organization.

While there is no evidence to suggest that existing vaccines do not work on the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2, some of the mutations reported may decrease the efficacy of the jabs, the Union Health Ministry said.

The ministry has issued a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the Omicron variant of coronavirus which has been designated by WHO as a 'variant of concern' (VoC).

On the possibility of a third wave of COVID-19, the ministry said given its characteristics, it is likely to spread to more countries, including India, but given the fast pace of vaccination in India and high exposure to delta variant as evidenced by high seropositivity, the severity of the disease is anticipated to be low.

Omicron cases are increasingly being reported from countries outside of South Africa and given its characteristics, it is likely to spread to more countries, including India, the ministry said.

"However, the scale and magnitude of the rise in cases and the severity of the disease are still not clear, it said.