Maharashtra reports 7 new Omicron cases, state tally jumps to 17

Maharashtra on Friday reported seven new Omicron cases, taking the state tally of the new Covid-19 variant to 17. Of the seven new cases, three are from Mumbai and four from Pimpri Chinchwad. Of these seven, four patients are asymptomatic, while three have mild symptoms. Four patients are fully vaccinated, one person has received only single dose of Covid-19 vaccine. One patient is 3.5 years old, hence, not eligible for vaccination. One patient is completely unvaccinated. 
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar  held a meeting with state Home Minister Dilip Walse Patil and other officials to review that COvid-19 situation in Pune after seven people tested positive for the new Covid variant. Pawar said that foreign returnees to the state were being tracked and officials keeping a watch on their health, addressing the rising concerns about Omicron in the state.

The minister also informed that Pune district had completed vaccinating 100% of its eligible population with the first dose of vaccine against Covid-19. This makes Pune the second district in Maharashtra to do so after Mumbai. "Eligible beneficiaries in Pune are 100 per cent vaccinated with first dose against COVID-19. It is the second district in the state to do so. In last 10 days, on average the vaccination pace has increased in the state. However, in some places, people are a bit reluctant about vaccination. A decision will be taken soon to increase the pace and cater to vaccine hesitancy," he added.