Genome sequencing data by the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (Insacog) suggests that Omicron has now become the dominant variant of coronavirus in metropolitan cities in the country, accounting for over 90% of the COVID-19 cases.

According to data by the Insacog network, in the fourth week of December, Omicron was found in 50% of the samples that were sequenced. However, in the second and third week of January, it has jumped to over 90-95% in all isolated samples. The data further suggest that Omicron has been found in 100% of the cases in Rajasthan, 90% cases in Delhi, 80% cases in Maharashtra, and 70% in both West Bengal and Karnataka.

Anurag Agrawal, director, CSIR-IGIB, said that though Omicron is now the dominant variant in the country as a whole, it can’t be said that it has completely replaced Delta in all regions… (ET Healthworld, January 22, 2022)