Shillong ( Meghalaya), Jan 16 : There has been a huge surge of Omicron variant of COVID-19 in the state .
According to reports , 3 sets of samples have been tested for genome sequencing so far.
On Jan 3, 70 samples were tested and five were found to be of Omicron variant.
Again on Jan 7, 45 samples were tested and 27 were found to be of the Omicron variant.
Of the 47 samples tested on Friday , 45 were found to be of the Omicron and two of the Delta variants.
The latest figures take the official number of Omicron cases detected so far in the state to 49.
4 cases were detected earlier in parts of East Khasi Hills and Ri Bhoi.
Commissioner & Secretary Health and Family Welfare,Sampath Kumar said that people should not panic as most of the patients showed mild symptoms and urged people to follow Covid appropriate behavior amid the rise in Omicron cases.
According to him ,herd immunity in the state will be achieved when everyone will get vaccinated urging those eligible to get themselves vaccinated and the focus should be on vaccination, responsible testing, and treatment.
30% of the citizens of the state are yet to get themselves vaccinated with a large population in rural areas is still hesitant regarding the vaccine.
Meanwhile , on Sunday the state recorded 211 fresh Covid cases and 77 recoveries .
According to official sources , East Khasi Hills topped the list with 163 cases followed by West Garo Hills with 18 new cases ,West Jaintia Hills 5, Ri Bhoi 4, West Khasi Hills 3 , North Garo Hills 2 and South West Garo Hills 1 .
