Keeping in view the multiple cases of a new COVID-19 variant B.1.1.1.529 in South Africa, Botswana and Hong Kong, Karnataka has mandated rigorous screening and testing of international arrivals from these three countries.
South Africa has reported six cases of the new version and three in Botswana while Hong Kong has one case. This variant has a high number of mutations, which is a matter of concern.
In a circular issued in Bengaluru on November 26, Principal Secretary (Health and Family Welfare) TK Anil Kumar reiterated the importance of careful implementation and rigorous monitoring of the three-pronged surveillance strategy. The strategy includes screening and testing of international travelers and their contacts, regular sentinel surveillance and growth monitoring, and timely dispatch of RT-PCR positive samples to designated INSACOG Genome Sequencing Laboratories (LGSL).
“Botswana, South Africa and Hong Kong are already on the list of countries at risk for international travelers coming to India. Therefore, it is imperative that all international travelers arriving and departing from Botswana, South Africa and Hong Kong, and including all other at-risk countries identified by the Centre, are subject to rigorous screening and testing in accordance with the guidelines. circular is called.
“The contacts of these international travelers should also be closely tracked and tested as per the guidelines. It should also be ensured that samples of such international travelers who test positive for COVID-I9 should be sent to the designated IGSL for genome sequencing, and these samples should be sequenced on priority at IGSL,” according to the circular.
Strict instructions have been given to all district administrations to follow the comprehensive ‘Test-Track Treat-Vaccination’ principle to ensure stringent implementation of containment measures, and to check for Variants of Concern (VOCs) or Variants of Interest (Volumes). To prevent the spread, circular.
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