The new strain of novel Coronavirus, which is said to be 70 per cent more infectious, had sneaked into Mumbai even before the state government announced mandatory quarantine for UK fliers on December 21. Eight passengers from Britain, including five from the city, who arrived between November 25 and December 21, have tested positive for the new variant.

Among the eight passengers confirmed with the new strain, one each are from Mira-Bhayandar, Thane and Pune, besides the five from the city. They are among the 43 international fliers who tested COVID-19 positive on their arrival in the state before December 21, State Health Minister Rajesh Tope said on Monday.