Cases of SA, Brazil strain detected; variants didn’t cause Maha, Kerala surge: Centre
NEW DELHI/CHENNAI: Two variants of SARS-CoV-2 -- N440K and E484K -- have been detected in Maharashtra and Kerala but there is no reason to believe presently that they are responsible for the surge in cases in some districts in these two states, the Centre said on Tuesday. One of the two variants has also been detected in Telangana.
Addressing a press conference here, NITI Aayog Member (Health) VK Paul said that 187 people have tested positive for the UK strain of SARS-CoV-2 in the country so far, while six people have detected with the South Africa variant. Also, one person has tested positive for the Brazil variant strain.
“Both the N440K and E484K variants of SARS-CoV-2 have been detected in Maharashtra. In Kerala and Telangana also these variants have been found. Also, three other mutated strains -- one each from UK, South Africa and Brazil are already present in the country. But there is no reason for us to believe, on the basis of scientific information, that they are responsible for the upsurge of the outbreak in some districts of Maharashtra and Kerala,” Paul said.
COVID test must for int’l passengers in Chennai:
Following the spike in cases in several states and identification of several new strains of the virus, all international passengers arriving in Chennai will be allowed to exit the airport only after testing negative in an RT-PCR test Tuesday onwards. Airport officials said Indian citizens arriving from the US, Singapore and Malaysia can show their COVID negative certificate and go home but foreign passport holders and passengers (including Indians) from elsewhere will have to mandatorily undergo the RTPCR test. Passengers have the option of taking the test for Rs 1,200 and collect the results in 6 to 8 hours or avail a special scheme by paying Rs 2,500 for the test and collect results on a priority mode within four hours, officials said. After the test, passengers will be monitored by the Health Department who will then shift those who test positive to government hospitals. Airport officials clarified that all other SOPs will continue, including the system of obtaining an e-pass before entering the state.