Third Covid Wave Started: Bihar CM As State Sees 1st Omicron Case
Patna, Dec. 31: A day after Bihar reported its first Omicron case, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday said that the third wave of COVID-19 has begun in the state and urged people to remain vigilant.
He also spoke out opening a genome sequencing laboratory in the state.
“Bihar has recorded the first Omicron case. Everyone has to be alert. The state is witnessing a sharp rise in cases, with the maximum being registered in Patna and Gaya. A large number of people from other states reside in these two places, and this could be a reason behind the spike in cases in these areas,” he told reporters.
“The third Covid wave has begun in the state. We are fully prepared to tackle this wave. The health department has upgraded hospital infrastructure,” Mr Kumar said.
The Chief Minister said that a review meeting will soon be convened to assess the situation, and the possibility of imposing curbs will be discussed.
“People from outside the state are being tested for COVID-19, and if anyone’s result is returning positive, his/her samples are being sent to Delhi for genome sequencing. We will discuss in the review meeting on opening a genome sequencing laboratory in the state,” Mr Kumar said.
A senior health official said that the Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) at Patna already has the required permission to open a genome sequencing laboratory.
The first case of the Omicron strain was detected in Patna on Thursday. The 26-year-old patient, a resident of Kidwaipuri locality of the state capital, had recently returned from Delhi. Bihar registered 100 COVID-19 cases on the previous day.
Next Story :
-
Rajasthani Film ‘Bharkhama’ Won Special Jury Mention at JIFF 2025
![Rajasthani Film ‘Bharkhama’ Won Special Jury Mention at JIFF 2025]()
The Rajasthani film Bharkhama made waves at the Jaipur International Film Festival (JIFF) 2025, earning the distinguished Special Jury Mention Award. The movie’s special screening at GT Inox, Malviya Nagar, Jaipur, left a profound impact on both viewers and critics, marking a significant moment for regional cinema. The event was further elevated by the presence…
-
Trump Launches $500 Billion “Stargate” AI Venture
![Trump Launches $500 Billion “Stargate” AI Venture]()
In a major push to advance artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, United States President Donald Trump revealed a $100 billion joint venture called “Stargate” on January 21 (January 22 IST). The initiative, spearheaded by SoftBank Group, OpenAI, and Oracle Corporation, aims to revolutionize AI development in the U.S. with plans to scale the investment to $500…
-
Dalit Groom Riding Horse Faces Opposition: Police Step in for Protection
![Dalit Groom Riding Horse Faces Opposition: Police Step in for Protection]()
In Lavera village of Srinagar block, Ajmer district, a wedding procession proceeded peacefully on January 21 under heavy police protection. Around 400 police personnel were deployed to prevent potential opposition from upper-caste locals, who reportedly objected to the groom riding a horse—an act traditionally viewed as a symbol of status and equality.
-
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Marks 10 Years of Launch
![Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Marks 10 Years of Launch]()
As India marks the tenth anniversary of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) initiative, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hailed the program’s transformative impact on addressing gender disparities and empowering the girl child. Launched on January 22, 2015, the initiative has evolved into a landmark movement for gender equality and girl-child education in India.
-
JEE Mains Exam: 3 Students Denied Entry for Arriving Late
![JEE Mains Exam: 3 Students Denied Entry for Arriving Late]()
The JEE Mains exams, necessary for admissions in prestigious engineering colleges across India, began on Wednesday, attracting thousands of eager students to exam centers nationwide. However, three students at the Ion Digital Zone Exam Center in Visakhapatnam were denied entry for arriving late.
Now you can get latest stories from Indtoday on Telegram everyday. Click the link to subscribe. Click to follow Indtoday Facebook page and Twitter and on Instagram. For all the latest Hyderabad News updates
