The number of cases of the fast-spreading Omicron variant has risen to 1,270 in India, with the new Covid-19 strain spreading to 23 states.

Maharashtra continues to be the worst-hit with 450 cases followed by Delhi, which has recorded 320 infections.

Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain said that the Omicron variant has spread to the community as several people infected with the strain have not travelled abroad. The Omicron variant was found in 54% of the samples sent for genome sequencing. The national capital recorded a total of 1,313 fresh Covid-19 cases on Thursday which is the highest daily spike in the last 7 months. 

Meanwhile, the number of in fresh COVID-19 cases reported nationwide recorded a 27 per cent jump to 16,764 in the last 24 hours raising fears if a third wave. The number of cases have shot up 2.6 times in just three days.

The Centre has sent instructions to 8 of the worst-affected states including Maharashtra and Delhi to step up testing, hospital preparedness and to increase the pace of vaccination.