Maharashtra confirmed seven new cases of Omicron variant of COVID-19 on Friday, taking the total number of patients in the country to 32.
Of the seven cases, three have been reported from Mumbai, including a three-year-old. Four cases are from Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, according to news agency ANI.
Among the new cases in Mumbai is a resident of Dharavi area, who recently returned from Tanzania. The 49-year-old man, a Muslim cleric, was asymptomatic and was isolated before he could mingle in the community, said a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation official.
The state now has 17 cases of the new variant.
According to media reports, four among the seven patients are asymptomatic, while the others have mild symptoms.
News18 reported that four people who tested positive are fully vaccinated.
Meanwhile, Niti Aayog member (health) Dr V.K. Paul , during a health ministry briefing on Friday, said the usage of masks in the country has declined to pre-second wave levels and "in a way we have again entered a danger zone".
Pointing out that the use of masks is declining, he said, "From the point of view of protection capability, we are now operating at a low level...at a risky and unacceptable level".
"We have to remember that both vaccines and masks are important."
The government had earlier said although Omicron is not posing a burden on the healthcare system yet, vigil has to be maintained.
—With PTI inputs