New coronavirus strain: Samples of UK positive cases to undergo genome sequencing study

The Union Health Ministry has asked state governments to send the samples of the passengers who tested positive on arrival from the UK to the National Institute of Virology NIV Pune or any other appropriate lab for genome sequencing studyThe genome sequencing study would determine if the COVID19 patients are carrying the existing strain of SARSCoV2 or the mutant strain which was discovered in the UKs populationIf the samples indicate the presence of a new variant of SARSCoV2 the patient will continue to remain in a separate isolation unit while necessary treatment as per the existing protocol will be given the health ministry statedThe patient shall be tested on the 14th day after having tested positive in the initial test In case the sample is found positive on the 14th day further samples may be taken until the two consecutive samples taken 24 hours apart are tested negative the ministry informedThe ministry has also asked the Bureau of Immigration BOI to share the list of flights from the UK which landed at various international airports in India between November 25 to December 23 with respective state governments for the surveillanceThe health ministry has also issued updated Standard Operating Procedure SOP for epidemiological surveillance and response in the context of the new variant of SARSCoV2 virus detected in the UKThe SOP describes the activities to be undertaken at the point of entry and in the community for all international passengers who have travelled from or transited through the UK between November 25 and December 231 Respective state governments shall ensure that all passengers travelling from or transiting through airports in the UK and disembarking in India would be subjected to RTPCR test on arrival In case of a positive sample it is recommended that spike genebased RTPCR test should also be performed by an appropriate laboratory2 Passengers testing positive shall be isolated in an institutional isolation facility in a separate isolation unit coordinated by the respective State Health Authorities They would earmark specific facilities for such isolation and treatment Necessary action to send the samples to National Institute of Virology NIV Pune or any other appropriate lab for genome sequencing will be initiated at the facility levela If the report of the sequencing is consistent with the current SARSCoV2 virus genome circulating in the country the ongoing treatment protocol including home isolationtreatment at facility level as per case severity may be followedb If the genome sequencing indicates the presence of a new variant of SARSCoV2 then the patient will continue to remain in a separate isolation unit While necessary treatment as per the existing protocol will be given3 Those who are found negative on testing with RTPCR at the airport would be advised quarantine at home and followed up as detailed in PartC4 The concerned airlines shall ensure that prior to checkin the traveller is explained about this SOP Inflight announcements must also be made explaining the relevant information to the passengers Relevant information in this regard shall be prominently displayed in the arrival area and waiting area of the airportsFor the surveillance and containment of the passengers who arrived in India from the UK between December 21 and 23 and tested positive the ministry has asked the states to put them in institutional quarantine in separate quarantine centers and further test them as per ICMR guidelinesMeanwhile the list of travellers who are found RTPCR negative at airports shall be shared with the respective states by the central unit of Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme IDSP Their monitoring would be ensured by respective state governments or IDSP units the ministry mentioned in its updated SOPFurther those international travellers from the UK who arrived in India between November 25 and December 8 will be contacted by district surveillance officers the SOP statedThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever