Low COVID vaccination rate fuels fear that fast-growing Omicron wave could hit India hard
CBSN
New Delhi — India could be in the grip of an intense third wave of coronavirus infections within weeks as cases of the new Omicron variant rise sharply. Experts estimate that the wave could peak in the middle of February, driven primarily by the highly contagious strain.
On Monday, India reported 33,750 new infections, a fraction of the number being recorded in the U.S. and many European countries, but 22% more than the previous day and the highest overall count in more than three months. Given lower vaccination rates and other factors, some experts fear the new variant could hit India harder than other countries.
The bulk of the surge is being recorded in the India's two largest cities: the capital Delhi, and Mumbai. On Monday, the Delhi government said 84% of all samples tested in the capital on December 30 and 31 were Omicron infections.
