After a fully vaccinated individual with a travel history to Zimbabwe and South Africa tested positive for the new variant of the coronavirus deemed to be more dangerous and transmissible than previous strains, Delhi has reported its second case of Omicron.

“Second case of Omicron Variant reported in Delhi. The person was fully vaccinated and was coming from Zimbabwe. The person had also travelled to South Africa,” news agency ANI reported on Saturday, citing an official of the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government.

Also Read | Will India allow COVID-19 booster shots? Experts discuss

India now has 33 Omicron cases, with the addition of another case in Delhi. 

Omicron cases have been found in Maharashtra, the state with the most, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Karnataka, and Delhi so far. 

The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a warning on Friday about a drop in the use of face masks across the country due to the Omicron virus’s emergence. 

Also Read | India reports 7,992 new COVID cases, 393 deaths in last 24 hours

People are operating at a “risky and unacceptable” level, Dr VK Paul, NITI Aayog member (health) told Hindustan Times. He emphasised the importance of both masks and vaccines for protection against coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

According to Union Health Ministry data updated on Saturday, India’s COVID-19 tally climbed to 3,46,682,736, while the number of active cases fell to 93,277, the lowest in 559 days, with 7,992 people testing positive for the coronavirus in a single day. According to data updated at 8 am, the death toll had risen to 4,75,128 with the addition of 393 fatalities. 

Also Read | Pandemic mystery: Scientists focus on COVID’s animal origins

The Mumbai Police issued prohibitory orders in the city for 48 hours on Friday, banning large gatherings over the weekend, in response to an increase in cases of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. The prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) within the Mumbai Commissionerate limits also restrict rallies and protest marches involving people and vehicles over the next two days, according to a police official quoted by the PTI news agency.