India reported six cases of mutanjt strain of the UK Covid strain which is seventy percent more infectous than the previous virus. Out of the six cases 2 are from Bengaluru, 1 from Pune and 2 from Hyderabad.
“Samples of 3 UK returnees have been tested & found positive for new UK strain in NIMHANS, Bengaluru, two in Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad & one in National Institute of Virology, Pune. All 6 people have been kept in single room isolation,” says Health Ministry.
“A total of six samples of six UK returnee persons have been found to be positive with the new UK variant genome. Three in NIMHANS, Bengaluru, two in CCMB, Hyderabad and one in NIV, Pune. All these persons have been kept in single room isolation in designated Healthcare facilities by the respective state governments. Their close contacts have also been put under quarantine,” the health ministry said.
“Comprehensive contact tracing has been initiated for co-travellers, family contacts and others. Genome sequencing on other specimens is going on. The situation is under careful watch and regular advice is being provided to the states for enhanced surveillance, containment, testing and dispatch of samples to the INSACOG labs,” the ministry added.
The British government has already announced lockdown in the nation in wake of the new strain while there are speculations that Indian government would also take such step and may call for a high-level meeting soon.
