<span style="color: #222222;">Maharashtra's Health Minister Rajesh Tope today said that there is no imminent threat due to the detection and classification of Omicron as the variant of concern. Speaking to reporters in Jalna, Mr. Tope said the COVID variant seems to be more transmissible but there is no certainty about it being more virulent. He added that there is no need for alarm as vaccines may still be able to prevent Omicron.<br />''<br />''Stating the vaccination drives will continue with more vigour, Mr. Tope informed that about 82 percent of the state's population has taken the vaccine's first dose while just 44 percent citizens are fully vaccinated.  He said that the task force will continue to observe the new variant's characteristics and behavior and accordingly give suggestions on the way forward. </span><br />