'Delta Direct Hit' India: "Omicron Detection Is a Matter of Time"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] An analysis from India suggests that the new COVID-19 variant Omicron may have already entered the country.

Samiran Panda, head of the epidemiology team at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), said in an interview with India's NDTV on the 30th, "It is only a matter of time before Omicron is detected in India."

Panda emphasized, "Considering the very high transmissibility of Omicron, it would not be surprising if it is detected in India," adding, "Authorities are preparing for the spread of Omicron through a nationwide network of multiple laboratories and institutions capable of monitoring variants." He also warned, "We must keep in mind that even those who have completed their second vaccine dose may not be able to prevent infection from the new variant."

As Omicron is known to have a much higher transmission rate than the Delta variant that struck India and other countries this year, Indian authorities remain on high alert. The Ministry of Health has introduced a 7-day self-quarantine measure for travelers arriving from 12 countries including South Africa, following signs of global spread of the Omicron variant. New mandatory regulations have also been implemented for all arrivals, including submission of detailed travel records for the 14 days prior to entry and uploading real-time RT-PCR negative test results before boarding.

In the southern state of Karnataka, a suspected case has already emerged. K. Sudhakar, Karnataka's Health Minister, stated on the same day, "A traveler from South Africa tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month, but it was confirmed to be caused by a virus other than the Delta variant," adding, "Further investigations such as genome sequencing are underway."