Passenger from South Africa test positive in Mumbai

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Passenger from South Africa test positive in Mumbai (Image: Pixabay)
Passenger from South Africa test positive in Mumbai (Image: Pixabay)

Mumbai : A Dombivli resident in Mumbai, who arrived from South Africa on November 24 this year, has tested positive for coronavirus. However, the authorities have said that they are yet to confirm if he is infected with Omicron strain of coronavirus.

“The passenger travelled from Cape Town to Delhi via Dubai. He gave a sample in Delhi and was allowed to board the connecting flight to Mumbai. On arrival in Mumbai, he was found to be positive. He is asymptomatic and had home quarantined himself. Later, the corporation quarantined him in an institution,” said Pratibha Panpatil, Chief Medical Officer of  the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC).

KDMC health official has said that they have alerted the airport authorities and now the steps are being taken to locate his co-passengers on the flights.

Dr Pradeep Vyas, Additional Chief Secretary (Health) said, “We have sent his samples for genome sequencing to find out if he is carrying the Omicron variant.”

According to the Centre’s November 11 guidelines for international passengers, samples for RT-PCR tests are to be submitted on landing, after which passengers are allowed to leave the airport. Passengers are to follow home quarantine for seven days, with a mandatory retest on the eighth day.

Meanwhile, two South African residents have also tested positive for coronavirus after they landed in Hyderabad.