• NET Web Desk

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, several mutations and variants have continued to emerge with “Omicron Variant” which is believed to incorporate of a high transmissibility rate, thereby escalating tensions among medical fraternities. In a major such development, a total of 5 cases of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 were detected in Meghalaya on Tuesday, as informed by health officials.

According to the Health and Family Welfare Department Director, Aman War, out of the 5 cases – three are from Shillong, including a tourist from Assam, while two at Saiden village in Ri-Bhoi district.

“All the five people had recently returned to the state from the other states of India.” – asserted the Health & Family Welfare Department Director.

“Three are from Shillong and two from RiBhoi. We have genome sequencing laboratory, we have sent samples there, we got the confirmation, yes these are Omicron.” – asserted the Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Sampath Kumar.

On Monday, the Meghalaya Government decided to impose certain strict measures, including – night curfew, odd-even rule for vehicles and restrictions on public gatherings from January 5, with an intent to curb the deadly impact of this newly-detected variant.

Its worthy to note that on December 2021, the first-ever case of Omicron variant of COVID-19 was detected in Northeast India in Manipur. This first case of Omicron variant was detected in Manipur into a patient who had recently returned to the northeastern state from Tanzania.