2 more with travel history positive, no new curbs yet
28 samples of positive patients have been sent for genome sequencing; results expected to come by early next week
MUMBAI: Maharashtra reported two more fresh Covid-19 cases from the high-risk countries on Friday. The state also found one Covid-19 positive case out of 224 passengers who arrived from other countries.
The state health department now has samples of 30 Covid-19 positive patients from high-risk countries, of which 28 samples were sent to the National Institute of Virology, Pune and Kasturba Hospital, Mumbai, for genomic sequencing to ascertain if the new variant has made its entry into the state or not. The results will come by early next week.
“In an epidemic, we have to isolate, test, trace contacts, and the administration is following the protocol,” said health minister Rajesh Tope. State surveillance officer Dr Pradeep Awate said that the reports are expected by December 7.
“Even as Maharashtra health department is on a high alert after two cases of Omicron variant were reported from its neighbouring state Karnataka, there is no plan to introduce any fresh restrictions in the state or at the entry points from Karnataka,” said Tope. The minister also said that the new strain of
Take an RT-PCR test on arrival at the Mumbai airport
Seven-day mandatory institutional quarantine
RT-PCR test on the eighth day
If found negative, the person will have to home quarantine for another seven days
If found positive, they will be shifted to a Covid-19 hospital
BMC has an 800-bed Covid facility at the Richardson and Cruddas, Byculla, for institutional quarantine of international passengers from these three high-risk countries
15-20 two and three-star hotels around the airport are also on board with BMC to provide rooms for quarantine of international passengers who are willing to pay
Covid-19 has mild symptoms.
Tope said that he spoke to union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya and union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan over the situation in Karnataka. “So far, there are only two cases in Karnataka. At this point, it is not required to set up check posts and other things for two
Passengers from the remaining 9 'at-risk' countries will have to follow norms laid down by the Government of India:
Take an RT-PCR test on arrival
If found negative, have to home quarantine for seven days
RT-PCR test on the eighth day
If found positive, they will be moved to a Covid-19 hospital
Can board the flight to Maharashtra
Need a negative RT-PCR report done within 72 hours of the journey
Need a negative RT-PCR report done within 72 hours of the journey
(As per Maharashtra government order on December 2)
patients. As the situation develops, we will take decisions accordingly.” he added.
The minister also said that the countries that have Covid-19 cases of Omicron variant have gone from 11 to 30 in two days. However, he said that people should not panic as the variant is believed to have mild symptoms,
though it is highly transmissible.
Maharashtra added 664 fresh Covid-19 cases on Friday, taking the tally to 6,637,289. The state also added 16 fatalities, pushing the toll to 141,149. The active cases stood at 7,132 on Friday. Mumbai added 193 cases and three deaths.