India's first two cases of Omicron variant detected in Karnataka

Bengaluru : Two cases of Omicron variant of coronavirus have been detected in India, said the health ministry. Both the cases have been reported in Maharashtra in two men aged 66 and 46.

The two men had returned to India recently. These are the first confirmed cases of Omicron variant in the nation.

"Two cases of Omircron detected in Karnataka so far through genome sequencing effort of INSACOG consortium of 37 laboratories established by the Ministry of Health. We need not panic, but awareness is absolutely essential. Covid apt behaviour is required," said Balram Bhargava, DG ICMR.

Omicron has been a reason behind global concern as it is believed to be highly transmissible variant of coronavirus. WHO, last week, had tagged it a "variant of concern."