A paramedic checks an oxygen tank at a makeshift COVID-19 care centre at an indoor sports stadium in New Delhi. Photo: Altaf Qadri/AP

India’s capital New Delhi has reported the highest 238 Omicron cases so far, while the western state of Maharashtra, which witnessed a brutal second wave of COVID-19 earlier this year, registered 167 cases, according to government data.

New Delhi banned large gatherings for Christmas and New Year, and many other states have announced new restrictions, including night curfews and vaccination requirements at stores and restaurants.

“The (coronavirus) cases have increased with the arrival of international flights,” Delhi government’s Health Minister Satyendar Jain said. “Not a single Omicron patient has required oxygen support so far.”

Rajesh Tope, the health minister of Maharashtra, home to India’s financial capital Mumbai, said it was “worrying to see the number of active cases increasing in the state”.

“Mumbai’s positivity rate is at 4 percent. If this goes above 5 percent, then we will have to think about imposing restrictions,” he told India’s ANI news agency.

In the southern state of Tamil Nadu, also one of the worst-hit during the second COVID wave, authorities reported “an increasing trend” in infections. Police in the state’s main city of Chennai have restricted New Year’s celebrations in hotels and public places.

In neighbouring Karnataka, a night curfew from 10pm to 5am was imposed until January 7.