COVID-19 in India: 422 Omicron cases recorded in 17 States/UTs so far; 130 recovered, says Centre

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Sunday morning informed that a total of 422 cases of new Omicron variant of coronavirus were reported in 17 States/UTs of the country so far.

In its latest bulletin, the health ministry further stated that as many as 130 persons infected with the new strain have been recovered.

According to the MoHFW, India has registered 6,987 new COVID-19 cases, 7,091 recoveries, and 162 deaths in the last 24 hours. With this, the death toll has surged to 4,79,682, while the overall recoveries in the country have reached 3,42,30,354.

The country's recovery rate stands at 98.40 per cent, the highest since March 2020, while the active caseload is presently at 76,766. The active cases constitute 0.22 per cent of the country's total positive cases, which is the lowest since March 2020.

With the administration of 32,90,766 vaccine doses in the last 24 hrs, India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 141.37 crores, as per the health ministry's latest tally.

The MoHFW further stated that the weekly positivity rate for COVID-19 stands at 0.62 per cent remains less than 1 per cent from the last 42 days.

"Over 148.37 crore vaccine doses provided to States/UTs so far through GoI (free of cost channel) and via direct state procurement category. More than 17.90 crore balance and unutilised COVID vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs to be administered," it said.

In his address to the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Saturday emphasised precaution in view of the rise in cases of Omicron variant of COVID-19 in the country. The Prime Minister announced three major decisions in the fight against the disease including the start of vaccination for children in the 15-18 age group from coming January 3.

"Vaccination will start in the country for children aged between 15 to 18 years from January 3, 2022," he said.

PM Modi also announced that a precaution dose will be given to healthcare and frontline workers from January 10 in view of the threat posed by the new mutant variant of COVID-19.

"The government has decided that a precautionary dose of vaccine will be started for healthcare and frontline workers starting January 10, 2022. Citizens above 60 years facing co-morbidities, will have the option of taking precaution dose on the advice of their doctor," the prime minister said.