India on Tuesday reported six cases of the new coronavirus strain that has been recently identified in the UK. The mutant strain of Covid-19, which is 70% more transmissible was first reported in the United Kingdom a few days ago.
All six patients recently returned from Britain. As per a government statement, three samples in NIMHANS of Bengaluru, two in CCMB, Hyderabad and one in NIV, Pune have been detected out of all the samples tested
Taking cognizance of the reports of the mutant variant of coronavirus being detected in India the government has “put in place a pro-active and preventive strategy to detect and contain the mutant variant”.
All 6 infected persons have been kept in single-room isolation in designated health care facilities by respective state governments. Their close contacts have also been put under quarantine. The government is meanwhile doing a comprehensive contact tracing exercise for co-travellers, family and others.
“The situation is under careful watch and regular advice is being provided to the States for enhanced surveillance, containment, testing & dispatch of samples to INSACOG labs,” read a statement from the government.
Last week, India had suspended flights from UK till December 31 after the emergence of the new coronavirus strain in the country.
Apart from India, the new coronavirus variant, first detected in the UK, has also been reported in Denmark, Netherlands, Australia, Italy, Sweden, France, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Canada, Japan, Lebanon and Singapore, and a few other countries.