Six Travelers from UK Test Positive for the New Coronavirus Strain in India

India confirms the new Coronavirus strain as six travellers, all from the UK, test positive. The mutated strain is 70% more transmissible than the previous strain.

The New Strain of Coronavirus

As per the government’s data, six travellers who recently returned from the UK, have been detected with a new coronavirus strain. Around 33,000 passengers have arrived in India over the past two months. Out of these, 114 have tested positive for Covid-19.

While three patients are in NIMHANS of Bengaluru, two are in CCMB, Hyderabad, and NIV, Pune. Also, the Health Ministry stated that the respective state governments had kept patients in single room isolation. Moreover, their close contacts have been put under home quarantine. Besides, the government is rigorously contact tracing co-travellers and families to stop the spread of the virus.

The mutated virus was first identified in south England. However, it has been now confirmed in more than 20 countries. That said, the new coronavirus strain is more contagious, but not dangerous than the old one.

Temporary Suspension of Flights Between the UK and India till 7th January 2021

Citing the situation, the Indian government has suspended all flights to and from the UK till 7th January 2021. Earlier, this ban was till 31st December 2020. Around 50 countries, including Ireland, Germany, France, Italy, have imposed travel restrictions on Britain.

Health Ministry Ramps up Efforts

The Health Ministry has ramped up its efforts to cope with the new strain. It has ordered genome sequencing of all symptomatic and positive samples of international passengers who have arrived in India between 9th and 22nd December.

India has reported 16,432 new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours. This is the lowest increase in the previous six months. More than 1.48 lakh people have died because of coronavirus till now.

In all, the constant decrease in coronavirus cases is reassuring, given the devastating situation across the world.