Srinagar, Jan 26: The third wave of Covid-19 in J&K was triggered by a new variant Omicron and the wave is likely to reach peak in next one week, experts and health officials said on Wednesday.

Top health officials from J&K said that the most predominant variant in J&K is Omicron which has triggered third wave, however, Delta variant is still around and there is no place for complacency.

They said that as per the data from genome sequencing labs, Omicron is found around 45 percent of the positive cases while Delta is found in around 30 to 35 percent cases.

They further added that data clearly indicates that Delta variant is around and people should continue to follow Covid appropriate behaviour in letter and spirit.

“Delta variant was behind the second wave and in the same month over 1600 deaths were reported in May month alone and it is likely that same variant continues to infect people and is the main reason behind rise in death rate,” they said.

Experts believe that Delta variants besides some other variants are still circulating and Omicron hasn’t completely replaced Delta and other variants yet.

They said that if Delta is even infecting 5 or 10 percent of the people it causes severe disease mostly affecting lower respiratory tract due to which Covid deaths are reported.

They further added that most people who have died in the third wave were having underlying problems and were tested positive for Covid-19 as well.

They further added that in next one week a third wave is likely to reach a peak in J&K after that plateau will start which too will be short unlike the second wave. kno