Omicron variant live updates: India will soon launch world's first DNA vaccine for Covid, says PM

7 from Vadodara city, 3 from Kheda, 2 from Ahmedabad city and 1 from Anand. Out of total, 4 have travel history/ origin from African countries, 3 from UAE and 1 from the UK. One doesn't have any travel history whereas three are contacts of confirmed Omicron cases

Of the 20 new cases, 11 are from Mumbai, six from Pune district, two from Satara and one from Ahmednagar.

Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu on Friday reviewed the pandemic situation in the state amid the threat of the omicron variant. The need for strict health surveillance and response preparedness were discussed in detail at the meeting, officials said.

The COVID-19 tally in Goa reached 1,79,965 on Friday after 67 cases were detected, while the death toll remained unchanged at 3,518, an official said.

The Biden administration will lift travel restrictions on eight southern African countries imposed last month over concerns about the fast-spreading Covid-19 Omicron variant, a senior administration official told Reuters.

Japan has approved the Covid-19 pill developed by US pharmaceutical company Merck & Co. for use beginning next week, the Japanese health minister said Friday. Health Minister Shigeyuki Goto told reporters that a ministry drug panel authorized Merck's molnupiravir under a fast-track process and the drug will be shipped to hospitals and pharmacies beginning next week.