Omicron: India tally rises to 1,525, Maharashtra worst hit

On Sunday, India recorded 27,553 new Covid-19 cases and 284 deaths; West Bengal shuts schools, colleges; offices at 50 per cent occupancy.

New Delhi: Maharashtra on Sunday detected 50 new Omicron cases taking the total tally of the new variant to 510, state public health department said. Meanwhile, Kerala recorded 45 new cases of the Coronavirus new variant taking the tally of Omicron infections in the state to 152, state health minister Veena George informed. 23 new cases of Omicron were also reported in Odisha today. With this, the total Omicron cases in Odisha rose to 37.

At the same time, the West Bengal government has announced fresh curbs amid surge in Covid-19 cases in the state. All schools, colleges, universities, spas, salons, beauty parlours, zoos, and entertainment parks will remain closed from tomorrow. Offices will be allowed to operate with 50 per cent workforce and only essential services will be permitted from 10 am to 5 pm.

India on Sunday reported a single-day rise of 27,553 Covid-19 cases and 284 deaths. With 9,249 recoveries recorded in the last 24 hours, the active caseload stood at 1,22,801.

Major cities across the country have witnessed a surge in their Covid count. Delhi saw 3,194 fresh cases Sunday with a test positivity rate of 4.59 per cent while Mumbai reported 8,063 new infections. Karnataka reported 1,187 new Covid-19 cases. Bengaluru Urban recorded 932 of the total fresh cases in the state. 45 new cases of Omicron variant have been reported in Kerala, health minister Veena George informed. With this the tally of the new variant in Kerala rose to 152.

Tamil Nadu continued to witness a rise in new coronavirus cases with 1,594 being added afresh on Sunday. Chennai and neighbouring Chengalpet accounted for the majority of infections with 776 and 146 cases respectively. —(Agencies)