Kerala today for the first time reported six cases of infection of the mutant coronavirus (File)
Highlights
- All 6 COVID patients in isolation, Kerala health minister said
- Maharashtra reported 8 cases of the new coronavirus strain
- Five cases of the mutant strain were reported in UP's Meerut
Kerala today reported six cases of the mutant coronavirus strain that was first confirmed in the UK. All six who have tested positive had returned from the UK after December 14, Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja told reporters.
Among those who tested positive are two people from a family in Kozhikode, another two from a family in Alappuzha, and one each from Kottayam and Kannur.
"A total of 29 samples were sent to a lab in Pune. The first 11 tested negative for the mutated strain. Today, six have tested positive for that strain. They are in isolation and in hospital, under treatment. They were advised quarantine on arrival and their contact lists have been prepared and even they are under observation," Ms Shailaja said.
While other states have reported over 30 cases of this mutant strain, in Kerala these are the first set of cases being reported.
The Health Minister urged people to maintain caution and follow all COVID-19 protocols. "People must show a lot of caution. We can't keep everything shut for long. But while relaxations are given, people must venture out for only essential activities. They must not gather together or roam without masks and homes only for essential activities. Priority is to save people's lives," Ms Shailaja said.
In Maharashtra, state Health Minister Rajesh Tope said eight people who returned from Britain were found with symptoms of the new strain of coronavirus. "8 passengers from UK returned to Maharashtra were found to have symptoms of the new coronavirus, including 5 from Mumbai, one each from Pune, Thane and Mira Bhayandar. All of them are in segregation and their contact tracing is underway," Mr Tope tweeted.
The Maharashtra chief medical officer warned that some people returning from the UK are taking flights to airports outside the state and then coming to Mumbai to avoid quarantine.
In western Uttar Pradesh's Meerut, five cases of the mutant strain were reported. All of the infected people are from a single family. The chief medical officer said one of them includes a two-year-old girl.
Three more people who returned from the UK have tested positive for the mutant strain of coronavirus, taking the total of such cases to 10 in Karnataka, Health Minister K Sudhakar said today.
After getting reports from other nations, the centre had put in place a proactive and preventive strategy to detect and contain the mutant coronavirus.
The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) on Sunday approved the Oxford vaccine Covishield, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, and Covaxin of Bharat Biotech for restricted emergency use in the country, paving the way for a massive inoculation drive.