India reports 6 cases of mutant Covid strain

New Delhi: Six people who had recently returned from the UK to India have tested positive with the new coronavirus strain that reportedly spreads at a much faster pace and has sent alarm bells ringing across the world.

A total of 6 samples of 6 UK returnees have been found to be positive with the new UK variant genome. According to a government statement, 3 samples in NIMHANS of Bengaluru, 2 in CCMB, Hyderabad and 1 in NIV, Pune has been detected out of all the samples tested.

Meanwhile, the government has taken cognizance of the reports of the mutant variant of coronavirus being detected in India and has “put in place a pro-active and preventive strategy to detect and contain the mutant variant”.

All the 6 infected persons have been kept in single-room isolation in designated health care facilities by respective state governments. Their close contacts have also been put under quarantine. The government is meanwhile doing a comprehensive contact tracing exercise for co-travellers, family and others.