When arriving at airports across the country on December 1, the first day of the implementation of the center’s revised Covid guidelines, 6 of the 3,476 passengers from so-called high-risk countries tested positive for Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19) According to the government statement, test. The samples of all six people have been sent to whole genome sequencing to confirm the strains. Passengers came from 11 flights that landed between 12 am and 4 pm on December 1. They all performed RT-PCR tests.

Due to concerns about the new SARS-CoV-2 strain (known as Omicron) that caused Covid-19, new and stricter testing protocols have been implemented.

“The samples of COVID19-positive passengers were sent to INSACOG laboratories for whole-genome sequencing. The Indian government continues to track the changing situation and supports the states/UTs to fight the pandemic through the entire government,” the statement added. It did not provide detailed information on the arrival of the six people at the airport, nor did it provide the country from which they came.

On Sunday, the Federal Ministry of Health and Family Welfare revised its travel guidelines for international travelers arriving in India, requiring all travelers from high-risk countries to undergo RT-PCR testing, regardless of their Covid-19 vaccination status. The list of risky countries includes the United Kingdom, all European countries, South Africa, Brazil, Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Singapore, Hong Kong and Israel.

Even passengers who test negative must be quarantined at home for a week and tested again on the eighth day. The early travel guide issued on November 11 this year exempted passengers who had been vaccinated from testing.

According to WHO, Omicron or the B.1.1.529 variant has a large number of mutations, some of which are worrying. Preliminary evidence suggests that this variant has an increased risk of re-infection compared with other VOCs. According to the guidelines, airport health authorities will also conduct random RT-PCR testing on arrival of 5% of passengers from countries/regions that do not include “at-risk” countries. .

Currently, 11 countries in India are on the “dangerous” list, and travelers from these countries will have to take additional measures.

News Source : Hindustan Times