Covid: HP records 8 new cases of Omicron, 21 of Delta variant
Initially, omicron variant was reported only in international travellers but now this variant has been reported from the community also.
Initially, omicron variant was reported only in international travellers but now this variant has been reported from the community also.
Union health ministry officials said that the Omicron infection tally has reached 213 across the nation, but of the total Omicron positive cases, 90 have been discharged.
On average, Omicron required around a 10-fold increase in the concentration of serum antibodies in order to neutralise the virus, compared to Delta.
Among the new infections, 175 were recorded in the largest city of Auckland, 20 in nearby Waikato, four in Northland, five in Bay of Plenty, and one in the Lakes.
Genome sequencing data revealed that delta variant was detected in 99 per cent of the sample in October, 97 per cent in September, 86 per cent in August and 52 per cent in July.
Auckland has 671 community cases and Wellington has 16 cases, according to the Ministry of Health.
Genetic analysis revealed the N501S mutation, the team said, adding that only eight cases of the mutation have been reported outside Japan.
Sri Lanka is presently facing a rising wave of Covid-19 infections, suspected to be caused by the Delta variant with authorities declaring a nationwide quarantine curfew since August 20 which will be lifted on August 30.
All six cases were linked to the first community case that resulted in the country's second national top-level lockdown starting Tuesday midnight.
Canberra joins Sydney, Melbourne, and several cities in New South Wales state that are locked down due to the delta variant.
