Delta Cases Only In Odisha, 2 Other States, Omicron Sub-Strain More Prevalent: Health Ministry

New Delhi: A sub-strain of Omicron, BA.2, is more prevalent in India during the ongoing third wave of COVID-19 pandemic while Delta variant is present in only three states, including Odisha, the Centre said on Thursday.

There is an early indication of COVID-19 cases plateauing in certain parts of India, the Union Health ministry stated.

“We have been observing an early indication of COVID plateau, but it is only limited to some regions,” joint secretary of Health ministry Lav Agarwal said.

Also Read: COVID Cases To Cross 2nd Wave Peak; Delta Not Omicron Drives The Surge In Odisha, Check ILS Study

According to Health ministry data, 10 states are currently contributing 77% of the active COVID-19 cases, while more than 90% of those infected by coronavirus are under home isolation.

Director of National Centre for Disease Control Sujeet Kumar Singh said initially, when the new variant was being spread through foreign travellers, BA.1 was prevalent.

“But now as Omicron transmission is in the community, the prevalence of BA.2 is noted. This prevalence is also limited to some states. As on today, we can see Delta only in three states — Odisha, Maharashtra and West Bengal,” Singh informed.

He added that Delta variants have been found in Delhi too.

The third wave is peaking in Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan, as per Health ministry data.

However, some districts including Pune, Ernakulam, Thiruvananthapuram, Ahmedabad, Nagpur and Kozhikode are recording high cases and increase in positivity.