Third case of Omicron detected in Karnataka

Karnataka Health Minister K Sudhakar on Sunday said that yet another case of Omicron has been detected in the state. The 34-year-old male resident of Bommanahalli, Bengaluru, is the third case of Omicron in the state. He was tested covid positive in an RT-PCR after returning from South Africa and is now being treated at a designated hospital in Bengaluru.

Five primary contacts and 15 secondary contacts have been tracked by the health authorities thus far. Their samples have been sent for testing.

The first two cases of Omicron in the state, a South African national and a local doctor, were also the first two cases of the new variant to be reported in the country.

The identification of Omicron in the local doctor created a lot of tension as he had no travel history. Authorities suspect that the new variant was already present in the community.

Though the results of genomic sequencing had not arrived, the South African national already left the country. The government has ordered a multi-pronged investigation into the case.

The government has released new guidelines for international arrivals. Furthermore, two doses of vaccination are compulsory for entry to malls, cinema theatres, and commercial establishments. Vaccination is also compulsory for parents of school children.