No patient infected with a new Omicron variant, said to be driving China`s current surge of Covid-19 cases, has been detected so far in Maharashtra, but thermal screening will be conducted for air passengers arriving from countries where the variant has been found, Heath Minister Tanaji Sawant said on Wednesday.

Talking to reporters in Nagpur, where the winter session of the state legislature is currently going on, Sawant said he has asked officials to remain alert and emphasis on tracking, testing and vaccination.