Maharashtra Covid Update: 6 International Passengers From ‘At-Risk’ Countries Test Positive | Earth Indian

Mumbai: Amid the rising threats of new covid variant, Omicron, six passengers from South Africa and other high-risk countries have tested positive for covid-19 in Maharashtra. The state Public Health Department on Tuesday informed that one each in Mumbai Corporation, Kalyan-Dombivali Corporation, Meera-Bhayandar Corporation and Pune, and two from Nigeria in Pimpri-Chinchwad corporation have tested positive.

“There are 6 passengers who arrived from South Africa or other high-risk countries & tested positive for COVID – one each in Mumbai Corporation,Kalyan-Dombivali Corporation, Meera-Bhayandar Corporation & Pune, 2 from Nigeria in Pimpri-Chinchwad corporation,” news agency ANI reported quoting Public Health Department, Maharashtra.

“All their samples have been sent for genomic sequencing and their contact tracing exercise is underway. All these passengers, though tested Covid-19 positive, are either asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic,” the department added.

To recall, the Pune Municipal Corporation earlier had said that a 60-year-old man had travelled from Zambia to Mumbai on November 20 and then travelled to Pune by taxi. “The person who tested positive is around 60 years and is stable, asymptomatic and in-home isolation for now,” the Pune Municipal Corporation officials said.

The officials had informed that the man’s sample has been sent for genome sequencing and a report on the same is awaited. “Pune Municipal Corporation has conducted RT-PCR tests of his family members and the driver who travelled with him from Mumbai to Pune and all of them have tested negative,” it added.

Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, on the other hand, said passengers arriving from the high-risk countries will be segregated from those arriving from the low-risk nations from December 1. The authorities also added that adequate RT-PCR testing facility in international arrivals in form of 48 registration counters and 40 sampling booths will be placed.

In addition to normal RT-PCR, 30 Rapid PCR machines, are available for the passengers having connecting onward flights with short connecting time. This facility will be upscaled further if required,” Mumbai Airport said.

By Shivam Urkude || Earth Indian