Centre Warns: India Could See 14 Lakh Omicron Cases Daily If There Is UK-Type Outbeak

Dr VK Paul, member (health), NITI Aayog

New Delhi: In a grim warning, the Centre said that India could see up to 14 lakh Omicron cases per day if a UK-like situation arises in the country.

“If we look at the scale of spread in the UK and if there is a similar outbreak in India, then given our population, there will be 14 lakh cases every day. France is reporting 65,000 cases. If an outbreak of a similar scale takes place in India, then given our population it will mean 13 lakh cases every day,” said Dr VK Paul, member, Niti Aayog, at a press briefing here.

“We have to make an effort so that such a situation does not emerge here. Conversely, we have to be prepared to effectively face such a situation,” he said.

India now has 101 Omicron cases across 11 states and Union Territories.

Both UK and France are witnessing a surge in COVID-19 cases.

Europe is passing through a serious phase despite 80 per cent partial vaccinations and despite the fact that they also went through a Delta wave, Dr Paul said.

“WHO has said that Omicron is spreading faster than the Delta variant in South Africa where Delta circulation was low. It’s likely Omicron will outpace Delta variant where community transmission occurs, WHO added,” said Health Ministry Joint Secretary Luv Agarwal.