<p>Telangana health authorities have decided to enforce mask rules strictly even as the Omicron variant of Covid-19 made entry into the country.</p>.<p>Two Omicron cases were reported from Karnataka on Thursday while in Hyderabad, the samples of a 35-year-old woman were sent for whole genome sequencing to confirm the coronavirus strain.</p>.<p>The woman had arrived in Hyderabad recently on a British Airways flight and has tested positive for Covid-19. She has reportedly been kept under isolation in the government-run Telangana Institute of Medical Sciences at Gachibowli.</p>.<p>Meanwhile, officials said that a fine of Rs 1,000 would be imposed on people found not complying with the mask rule.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/two-omicron-cases-in-india-one-is-south-african-second-a-karnataka-doctor-with-no-travel-history-1056946.html" target="_blank">Two Omicron cases in India: One is South African, second a Karnataka doctor with no travel history</a></strong></p>.<p>“We request the people to carry their Covid-19 vaccine certificates when they are heading out. Health teams would be visiting public places and could randomly ask people for the certificate. We are doing this as a cautionary measure and also to expand public awareness about vaccination benefits (in avoiding another Covid-19 wave). The Omicron variant spread is six times faster than Delta,” said Srinivasa Rao, director, public health, Telangana.</p>.<p>“So far, Omicron variant is not detected in Telangana,” the senior health official clarified even as messages on WhatsApp claimed otherwise.</p>.<p>A cabinet sub-committee was formed in Telangana earlier this week to devise a plan of action to tackle the threat of Omicron variant, while speeding up the vaccination coverage in the state.</p>.<p>At present, Telangana has 3,680 active cases officially, with 189 new Covid-19 cases reported on Thursday.</p>.<p><strong>Check out latest DH videos here</strong></p>
<p>Telangana health authorities have decided to enforce mask rules strictly even as the Omicron variant of Covid-19 made entry into the country.</p>.<p>Two Omicron cases were reported from Karnataka on Thursday while in Hyderabad, the samples of a 35-year-old woman were sent for whole genome sequencing to confirm the coronavirus strain.</p>.<p>The woman had arrived in Hyderabad recently on a British Airways flight and has tested positive for Covid-19. She has reportedly been kept under isolation in the government-run Telangana Institute of Medical Sciences at Gachibowli.</p>.<p>Meanwhile, officials said that a fine of Rs 1,000 would be imposed on people found not complying with the mask rule.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/two-omicron-cases-in-india-one-is-south-african-second-a-karnataka-doctor-with-no-travel-history-1056946.html" target="_blank">Two Omicron cases in India: One is South African, second a Karnataka doctor with no travel history</a></strong></p>.<p>“We request the people to carry their Covid-19 vaccine certificates when they are heading out. Health teams would be visiting public places and could randomly ask people for the certificate. We are doing this as a cautionary measure and also to expand public awareness about vaccination benefits (in avoiding another Covid-19 wave). The Omicron variant spread is six times faster than Delta,” said Srinivasa Rao, director, public health, Telangana.</p>.<p>“So far, Omicron variant is not detected in Telangana,” the senior health official clarified even as messages on WhatsApp claimed otherwise.</p>.<p>A cabinet sub-committee was formed in Telangana earlier this week to devise a plan of action to tackle the threat of Omicron variant, while speeding up the vaccination coverage in the state.</p>.<p>At present, Telangana has 3,680 active cases officially, with 189 new Covid-19 cases reported on Thursday.</p>.<p><strong>Check out latest DH videos here</strong></p>
