Omicron is spreading at a very fast pace in India and the scale of infections in the UK and France could translate to lakhs of cases a day in the country, the government's Covid task force chief said today.
India now has 101 Omicron cases across 11 states and Union Territories.
"If we look at the scale of spread in the UK and if there is a similar outbreak in India, then given our population, there will be 14 lakh cases every day. France is reporting 65,000 cases. If an outbreak of a similar scale takes place in India, then given our population it will mean 13 lakh cases every day," VK Paul said in a grim warning as cases rise.
In the UK, which has reported the highest ever daily rise of 88,042 cases, 2.4% of the cases are Omicron infections.
Europe is passing through a serious phase despite 80 percent partial vaccinations and despite the fact that they also went through a Delta wave, Dr Paul said.
He advised caution on unnecessary travel, crowds, and New Year festivities.
"It is time to avoid non-essential travel, time to avoid mass gatherings, and time to observe low-intensity festivities and low-intensity New Year celebrations," he said.
According to the officials, experts have warned that going by the trend, Omicron looks set to outpace Delta.
"WHO has said that Omicron is spreading faster than the Delta variant in South Africa where Delta circulation was low. It's likely Omicron will outpace Delta variant where community transmission occurs, WHO added," said Health Ministry Joint Secretary Luv Agarwal.
Maharashtra, the state with the highest overall Covid cases, has so far recorded the most number of Omicron cases at 32. Karnataka, Gujarat, Delhi, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Andhra Pradesh are the other states where the highly contagious new variant has been reported.
XBB.1.16 Variant Most Dominant Strain Of Covid In India: Health Body 234 Cases Of Mutated Omicron Sub-Variant (XBB1.16.1) Found In India XBB.1.16, New Covid-19 Variant: What We Know So Far In Massive Row Over Karnataka 100% Quota Bill, Chief Minister Deletes Post "I Divorce You... Your Ex-Wife": Dubai Princess Dumps Husband In Insta Post BJP Plans UP Overhaul To Bounce Back From Lok Sabha Poll Drubbing: Sources Watch: Land "Taken By Mafia", Farmer Rolls On Floor With Folded Hands BJP Plans UP Overhaul To Bounce Back From Lok Sabha Poll Drubbing: Sources Trump Recalls Shooting, Says Bullet "Felt Like World's Largest Mosquito" Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.