Two cases of Omicron variant have been reported in India so far, both cases are from Karnataka, Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary, Union Health Ministry, said. 

“There is an increase in 2nd dose of vaccination. Several initiatives were taken to increase number of vaccination across country. Number of COVID19 cases increasing in Europe region, 70% of global COVID19 cases are reported in the region,” Agarwal said.

Also read: Too early to say omicron would cause mild illness: Scientists

“All primary contacts and secondary contacts of both the cases have been traced and are being tested,” he said.

Agarwal further added that there has been an increase in the second dose of the COVID vaccine in India. He said that several  initiatives were taken to increase number of vaccination. 

Also read: Will omicron elude vaccine protection? Some, but not all: Report

“Surge in cases being noted across the world on an overall basis, Europe reported 70% of the cases in the world in last one week. In the week ending 28 Nov, around 2.75 Lakh new cases & over 31,000 deaths reported in European region,” he added. 

Also read: 6 from ‘at risk’ countries hospitalised in Delhi amid omicron fears

The Union Health Ministry on Wednesday announced a revised set of rules for international travellers. 

As per the latest update, passengers planning to travel to India must submit a self-declaration form on the Air Suvidha Portal, online, before their scheduled travel dates. Further, they must submit their last 14 days travel details. They must upload a negative RT-PCR report on the portal before the journey. The test must be conducted within 72 hours before travel. Travellers from countries not ‘at-risk’ can leave the airport but must self-monitor for 14 days after arrival.

Omicron was first detected in South Africa and has spread to 29 countries, including the UK and US, so far.