The new strain of coronavirus has been found in India with samples of six UK returnees testing positive for the Britain variant,which is 70% more transmissible which was first reported in UK a few days ago.Three samples in Bengaluru's NIMHANS,two in Hyderabad CCMB and one in Pune's NIV.
Taking cognizance of the reports of the new Covid-19 strain being detected in the country,the Central Government has put in place a pro-active and preventive strategy to detect and contain the mutant variant.
"The situation is under careful watch and regular advice is being provided to the State for enhanced surveillance,containment,testing & dispatch of samples to INSACOG labs.Its is important to note that the presence of new UK variant has already been reported by Denmark, Netherlands, Australia, Italy, Sweden, France,Spain,Switzerland,Germany,Canada,Japan,Lebanon and Singapore,so far",a release by the Press Information Bureau(PIB) stated.
All patients have been kept in single room isolation in designated healthcare facilities by the state governments.Their close contacts have also been put under quarantine.Comprehensive contact tracing has been initiated for co-travellers,family contacts and others.
Around 33,000 passengers arrived from the UK between November 25 and December 23.Of them, 114 have tested positive for Covid. Genome sequencing for other specimen is on,the government said.
India reported 16,432 new Covid-19 cases in the 24 hours ending 8 am Tuesday,taking the country's tally to 1,02,24,303.This is the lowest increase in daily cases in six months,since June 23.Of the total,only 2.68 lakh are active cases.Over 98 lakh have recovered from the disease.With 252 additional deaths reported on Monday,the death toll now stands at over 1.48 lakh.
On the vaccine front,the regulatory approval for Covishield, the Indian variant of Oxford-AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine,could come in a few days,Adar Poonawalla,CEO of Serum Institute of India ,said.
Maintaining the Covid-19 restrictions on various activities,the Centre said that there is a need for surveillance,containment and caution due to a surge globally and the emergence of a new variant of the virus in the UK.In a statement,The Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA) said it has issued fresh guidelines for surveillance with regard to Covid-19 that will remain in force till January 31,as it asked the states and union territories to keep a strict vigil to prevent any rise in cases during the New Year celebrations and the winter season.
On December 21,days after the detection of the new strain,India banned flights from the UK till December 31.
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