NEW DELHI, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- The number of Omicron variant cases of COVID-19 rose to 214 in India on Wednesday, officials said.
According to India's health ministry, of these 214 cases, 90 patients have recovered or migrated.
The data provided by the ministry showed Delhi reported the highest number of new variant cases, which is 57, followed by Maharashtra with 54 cases.
Apart from these two states, the fast-spreading Omicron strain has seen a rise in Telangana with 24 cases, Karnataka with 19 cases, Rajasthan with 18 cases, Kerala with 15 cases and Gujarat with 14 cases.
Local media reports quoting their sources said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a meeting on Thursday to review the COVID-19 situation in the country.
Meanwhile, amid signs of an increase in Omicron infections, the Indian government has asked the states to activate "war rooms" and bring back curbs, including night curfews to contain it. A series of prevention and containment measures are listed including extensive testing and regulation of gatherings.
A directive from the health ministry called for "greater foresight, data analysis, dynamic decision-making and strict and prompt containment action," as it directed the states to be "prompt and focused and take containment measures and restrictions even before these thresholds are reached."
The Omicron strain of COVID-19, known to be highly transmissible, has triggered alarm bells across the globe.
India's health ministry officials said of the reported cases of Omicron in the country, none of the patients have reported severe symptoms.
Last week, the government said with the Omicron variant "spreading rapidly," there was a need to avoid unnecessary travel and mass gatherings. Enditem
