Himachal : 43 WSG reports received from NCDC, Delhi and 8 cases found positive for Omicron

Himachal : The Government Spokesperson today informed that total 156 samples were sent for whole genome sequencing to NCDC Delhi in the month of January 2022. These 156 samples were of the patients found COVID positive from 15th December to 31st December 2021. He told that all the samples sent were from sentinel sites and none of the sample was of any international traveller.
The Government Spokesperson told that 43 whole genome sequencing (WGS) reports have been received from National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Delhi today. Amongst these 43 WGS samples, mutations have been found in 29 samples. He added that as per the reports of WGS received, 8 WGS samples have been found positive for omicron and 21 samples have been found positive for delta variants of COVID virus. The 8 omicron cases include 5 cases from District Kullu and 1 each from District Shimla, Solan and Chamba respectively.
The Government Spokesperson further added that till now total 15 cases of Omicron have been found in the State. The 8 cases of omicron have been reported today, 6 omicron cases have been reported in international passengers (3 from District Mandi, 2 from District Una and 1 from District Kullu), of which 1 case was reported on 26th December 2021 and rest 5 on 17th January 2022. He added that 1 case of omicron has also been reported from a cluster in District Sirmaur recently.
The Government Spokesperson said that initially omicron variant was reported only in international travellers, but now this variant has been reported from the community also. He appealed to the public to follow 3Ws i.e. watch your distance (more than 2 meters), wash your hands and wear a mask. In addition to this get yourselves vaccinated with the available COVID vaccine.