Delhi: It’s official, Omicron variant fuelling January Covid surge in Delhi

NEW DELHI: The latest report of Covid-positive samples analysed in genome sequencing labs of Delhi proves what medical experts have been saying for some time — the massive surge in new cases is fuelled by the Omicron variant of the novel coronavirus.

Delhi has reported 546 Omicron cases till date, behind Maharashtra’s 1,247 and Rajasthan’s 645, which have added to the national tally of 4,461. In all, 1,711 patients have recovered from the disease, including 57 in the capital.

The first Omicron case was reported in Delhi on December 6, when a 33-year-old man who had returned from Tanzania confirmed positive. In December, 1,553 Covid-positive samples were sent to laboratories for analysis, out of which 590 were of other variants, 533 (34%) were strains of the Delta variant and 430 (28%) Omicron.

The 511 samples analysed between January 1 and 8 revealed the overwhelming presence of the Omicron variant, which was found in 402 (79%) of the samples. The Delta variant, which was till recently dominant, was found in 89 (17.4%) of the samples, while other variants were found in 20 (3.9%).
While the overall presence of the Omicron variant in all samples analysed between December 1 and 31 was 28%, the genome sequencing data from December 25 to 30 revealed that half the samples were of Omicron. Out of 863 samples analysed during this period, 433 (50.2%) were of Omicron, 293 (34%) of Delta and 137 (15.8%) of other variants.

Initially, Delhi government had announced that all Covid-positive samples would be analysed in genome sequencing laboratories, but the need was not felt when the number of cases spiralled as it was evident that most were Omicron cases, sources said.

“People are demanding the Omicron test these days. But the information on Omicron is necessary only for the government and policy makers so that they can ensure the system works accordingly. Patients will not get to know anything new about the variant because the treatment and prevention process is exactly the same as the other variants,” health minister Satyendar Jain had stated earlier this month.

While initially all cases of the Omicron variant were admitted in a designated isolation ward at Delhi government’s Lok Nayak Hospital, later it was decided that only those whose symptoms were severe would be admitted to hospitals. The patients were moved to Covid Care Centres or paid isolation facilities in hotels, in case they opted for it.