The Omicron variant is at least three times more transmissible than the Delta variant, the Centre said Tuesday in a letter written to the States/UTs. Rajesh Bhushan, the Health Secretary, said considering the transmission speed of Omicron, the States/UTs must take necessary containment measures at the local and district level.

“Based on current scientific evidence, Omicron is at least three times more transmissible than the Delta variant. Besides, the Delta variant is still present in different parts of the country. Hence, even greater foresight, data analysis, dynamic decision making, strict and prompt containment action is required at the local and district level,” Bhushan said in a letter while simultaneously stressing on 100 per cent coverage of the first dose and testing and surveillance.

India’s total number of Omicron cases increased to 207 on Tuesday, with Maharashtra and Delhi registering the maximum number of cases at 61 and 54, respectively, as per the Health Ministry. Telangana, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Kerala and Gujarat’s Omicron cases stood at 20,19,18, 15 and 14, respectively. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh recorded two Omicron cases, and Andhra Pradesh, Chandigarh, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal registered one case each.

India reported 5,326 cases on Tuesday, with 453 deaths till 8:00 AM. In Kerala, the daily Covid cases have been less than 3,000 for the third day in a row at 2,748. Maharashtra registered 825 cases with only 14 casualties. Delhi’s cases stood at 102 with one casualty. The positivity rate in the capital was at 0.20 per cent.

According to the Ministry, the recovery rate was 98.4 per cent, the highest since March 2020. The daily positivity rate was at 0.53 per cent, less than 2 per cent for the last 78 days and the weekly positivity rate stood at 0.53 per cent, less than 1 per cent for the last 37 days. India conducted 10.14 lakh tests during the previous day, aggregating to 66.61 core tests.

In addition, India administered 51 lakh vaccine doses till 7:00 PM on Tuesday, aggregating to 138.89 crore inoculations done so far, as per the Health Ministry data. Besides this, the Government also informed Tuesday that more than 146.32 crore vaccine doses are lying with the States/UTs to be administered.

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