Bengaluru: 10 UK returnees tested positive, samples sent for genetic sequenching

Bengaluru: Health Minister Dr K. Sudhakar on Friday said only 10 people who had returned from the United Kingdom tested positive for coronavirus and their samples were sent for genetic sequencing to find out whether they were infected with the new strain of virus that surfaced in the UK and other countries.

Speaking to media persons, Mr Sudhakar said of all the UK returnees 10 tested positive and their samples were sent to NIMHANS for genetic sequencing. "Once we receive the report we will get to know whether it is the second strain or not, and accordingly we will follow necessary procedures for treatment. Things relating to this second strain are still being studied and, according to initial studies the variant of South African origin is more intensive than the one found in the UK," he said.

Flight services from the UK to India have been suspended till December 31 as a precautionary measure to prevent spread of the new strain of coronavirus. As per the government norms, passengers arriving from any part, who are RT-PCR negative shall be under strict home quarantine for 14 days. Contact details of all such passengers should be provided to District Surveillance Officers for quarantine follow-up. "Based on the final reports we get, we will take necessary steps. Have trust in the government, before taking any decision we think hundred times. Protecting the health of the people is our main priority. Precautionary measures should be taken by individuals to contain the spread of mutated variants of coronavirus," Sudhakar further added.