Shawdesh Desk:

Two COVID-19 cases of the Omicron variant have been detected in India, the Health Ministry said on Thursday, in the first confirmation of the coronavirus strain within the country’s borders that has triggered global alarm.

Both the cases have been reported in Karnataka with the patients being two men aged 66 and 46, the Health Ministry said, adding that their identities will not be disclosed for now to protect their privacy.

All people who came in contact with the two patients have been traced and are being tested, they said.