5 contacts of the person infected with Omicron tested positive, samples sent for sequencing

The BBMP chief said that their samples have been sent for genomic sequencing for confirmation

December 2, 2021

Omicron virus: India reports first cases of new Covid variant

After two people in Karnataka were detected to be infected with the Omicron variant of the Coronavirus, five contacts of one of the patients have tested positive and their samples have been sent for further testing, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) chief Gaurav Gupta told the media on Thursday, December 2.

The chief said that their samples have been sent for genomic sequencing for confirmation.

Gupta said, “The Omicron variant has been found in a person who doesn’t have travel history. He was tested after fever, body ache symptoms developed in him. His samples were tested on November 22 and later, samples were sent for genomic sequencing on November 24. There is a possibility of the presence of the Omicron virus in society. People need to be careful and wear masks.”

ICMR Director-General Dr. Balram Bhargav told the media, “There is no need to panic about Omicron, but awareness is absolutely essential. It is important to get fully vaccinated, people should get both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. People should follow COVID-19’s appropriate behaviour. Mass gatherings should be avoided.”

Gupta said, “Among the two infected individuals, one is a 66-year-old person from South Africa. He came to Bengaluru airport on November 20 and tested positive for COVID-19. Later, BBMP sent his sample to genomic sequencing of which the result has come on Thursday. He was isolated in a hotel.”

All primary 24 contacts and 240 secondary contacts have been traced and samples were taken by Urban Primary Health Centre officials. All have been tested negative. “We are keeping a watch on them till date,” he underlined.

The infected person had taken a test in another lab and tested negative. Since he had pre-fixed the programme he was allowed to go to Dubai through Bengaluru airport, he explained.

“The test result of the 46-year-old person has also shown that he is positive for Omicron virus. He was kept in home isolation first and later shifted to hospital,” he said.

His 13 primary contacts and 205 secondary contacts have been tracked. Three among primary contacts and two among secondary contacts have been tested positive for COVID-19. They have been isolated and further their samples have been sent for genomic sequencing for confirmation of the presence of the Omicron virus and results are awaited, he explained. The second person didn’t have travel history, Gupta said.

Genomic sequencing tests took 2 months to give results earlier. Now, results are available in 8 days.

A series of meetings have already been held to discuss the handling of the situation in the wake of the arrival of the new variant, he said.

The BBMP chief also said that though some South African health experts have said that the Omicron variant may be more transmissible but less severe, he added that not much is known about it and that the public must exercise caution.

[With Inputs from IANS]

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