UP: 52 with travel history to be tested for new Covid strain

LUCKNOW: Amid concerns over a new variant of the novel coronavirus detected in the United Kingdom, the district health authorities have identified 52 people who have come from various countries since December 9.
These travellers will be tested for the new strain and asked to stay in home isolation for next 28 days.
“Samples of all the travellers identified by us so far will be collected on Thursday for Covid-19 tests through RT-PCR method.If found positive, samples will be sent to National Institute of Virology in Pune for genomic sequencing to determine whether it has the strain found in the UK,” additional chief medical officer Dr MK Singh told TOI.
Singh, who is also the district immunisation officer, said the travellers had been identified on the basis of the list handed over to the authorities by the Union aviation ministry.
Singh said the action was being taken following the government’s direction. “The process will continue in the coming days and every person who has arrived from any country will be tested. These people will have to isolate themselves at home for 28 days after arrival under the supervision of the epartment,” he said.