Three UK returnees test positive for new coronavirus variant: Minister K. Sudhakar

Bengaluru: Minister of Health and Medical Education K. Sudhakar has confirmed that three persons in Bengaluru have tested positive for the new UK variant genome of SARS-CoV2 and necessary measures have been taken for their treatment, and to control its spread.

Speaking to reporters here on Tuesday, the minister said three of the 26 UK returnees who had tested positive for Covid-19 were found to have been infected with the new virus variant which has surfaced in the United Kingdom. Out of 1,614 people who returned from the UK and underwent RT-PCR test, 26 were confirmed positive, after genetic sequencing of their samples at NIMHANS, three tested positive for UK variant.

Mr Sudhakar said he held discussions with medical experts at NIMHANS and health department officials regarding the measures that needed to be taken.

Among the three tested positive for new variants include a mother and a child.

"Their contacts like driver and domestic servants have been identified, tested and isolated," the minister clarified.

A total of six persons who returned to India from the United Kingdom have tested positive for the new UK variant genome of SARS-CoV2, according to the Union Health Ministry.

Noting that all the 26 UK returnees, who have tested positive for Covid-19 so far have been isolated and are being provided treatment, Sudhakar said, their primary and secondary contacts have also been traced and necessary precautions like isolation and treatments have been taken care of.

On those who have remained untraceable after returning from the UK, Mr Sudhakar remarked that it's not the government's failure. "When they switch off their phone, how to find them? So, we have approached the police. We have been able to identify 1,614 people and have got them tested so far, we have also traced their contacts."

Ruling out harsh measures to contain the new coronavirus variant like lockdown, the minister quoted experts as saying that the immunity has increased in the society, also necessary preventive measures are being taken to stop the spread.

It may be recalled that a meeting of the National Task Force (NTF) on Covid-19 was held on 26 December to consider and recommend testing, treatment, surveillance and containment strategy. Standard Operating Protocol for States/UTs to tackle the mutant variant of SARS-CoV-2 was issued on December 22.

The entire issue was examined at length by NTF on December 26 and it concluded that there was no need to change either the existing National Treatment Protocol or existing testing protocols in view of the mutant variant.