Woman returning from UK tests positive for COVID, sample sent to Hyderabad for genome sequencing
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A 35-year-old woman who came to Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad from the UK, one of the 'at-risk' countries as per the Centre's guidelines, tested positive for Covid-19 on Thursday. Her swab samples have been sent for analysis. She arrived from an 'at-risk' country, the UK, in the wake of the outbreak of the Omicron strain, said Telangana Director of Public Health Dr. G Srinivas Rao. Initial tests have not been conclusive he added
The passenger is a native of the Rangareddy district and has been evacuated to Telangana Institute of Medical Sciences (TIMS) for observation and treatment, even though she was asymptomatic and was in good health Rao said. The 35-year-old woman who had flown in British Airways had tested positive for Covid-19. Her samples were sent to RGIA Shamshabad for whole-genome sequencing. "We'll know once we get the results," he said. Rao suggested that this may be the Delta variant of Coronavirus, as opposed to the Omicron variant. CCMB, Hyderabad, has been entrusted with the woman's sample for genome sequencing; the result is expected in three days.
In a British Airways and Singapore Airlines flight that arrived in Hyderabad on Wednesday from 'at-risk' countries, all 325 passengers were quarantined and will be tested again after seven days, Rao stated. All close contacts of the woman have tested negative for Covid, according to Dr. Rao
Health Department officials have warned enforcement authorities not to ignore residents who choose not to wear face masks. Despite authorities imposing a fine of Rs 1,000 for failing to wear masks, many citizens ignore the order. In addition to random checks, health officials will ask people to show their vaccine certificates. "We request people to carry their Covid vaccine certificates," Rao said.
Team members of Telangana's health department will randomly ask people for vaccination certificates in public places. This will be a precautionary measure and create awareness of vaccination. ''We will do whatever it takes to ensure that people are healthy and safe,'' said Dr. Rao.
Rao warned that the new variant of Omicron might strike at any time if citizens do not follow safety protocols. "We are taking all measures to prevent the spread of the virus. But citizens should also take precautions to prevent the spread of the virus," and "We are urging everyone who has not taken the Covid-19 vaccine or the second dose to take it immediately. The spread and effects of the new Covid-19 variant will be greatly influenced by the precautions people take." Rao stated.
Considering the new variant, the Telangana government has increased surveillance at the RGIA. At least ten teams have been deployed to screen international passengers arriving from countries considered to be at-risk.The government made it mandatory for passengers arriving from 12 countries to undergo RT-PCR tests from Wednesday. More than 50 passengers from the 12 countries that are considered 'at-risk have been tested, including 25 from Europe and 17 from the UK. Those who test positive are being hospitalized in an isolation ward at Telangana Institute of Medical Sciences at Gachibowli.
According to Dr. Rao, the Centre or state will inform if the Omicron variant is detected in India, and no information will be withheld.Covid cases have increased slightly daily, the state health department reported.The department set a deadline of December 31 to vaccinate 2.77 crore people. To date, 90 percent of the eligible population has been partially vaccinated, and 47 percent has been fully vaccinated, Dr. Rao added.
