Mumbai News

Mumbai News Live: Samples of 28 returnees from ‘at risk’ countries sent for genome sequencing, 9 already Covid positive, says Health Minister – The Indian Express

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation workers prepare a jumbo Covid Care Centre in Mumbai on Wednesday. (PTI Photo)

Mumbai Live News: Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Friday said the swab samples of 28 persons, who returned to the state from high-risk countries last month with nine of them already testing Covid-19 positive, have been sent for genome sequencing amid concerns over the new Omicron variant of the virus, PTI reported.

“The international travellers who arrived in Mumbai from the high-risk countries have been identified and the swab samples of 28 such persons have been sent for genome sequencing. Out of them, nine persons have already tested Covid-19 positive. However, we are yet to establish whether they are carrying the new Omicron variant,” he said.

With the Maharashtra government amending its air travel rules in view of global concerns over the Omicron variant of coronavirus, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation cancelled its previous guidelines issued to the city airport authorities and asked them to follow the revised ones as issued by the state.

According to the new guidelines, all international travellers landing at Mumbai airport must take an RT-PCR test and undergo 14-day home quarantine. Domestic passengers travelling to Maharashtra must produce a negative RT-PCR test 48 hours prior to date of journey, irrespective of vaccination status.

Mumbai News Live Updates: Centre, state dispute over Covid-19 guidelines for international passengers; amid Omicron fears, four from ‘at risk’ countries test positive; BMC ramps up testing; Mumbai records 108 new coronavirus cases. Follow latest news and updates below

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/mumbai-news-live-updates-covid-cases-omicron-guidelines-weather-7651875/