"Serious Implications": Centre Calls For Tighter Screening For New Strain

A new variant of COVID-19, feared to have a high amount of spike mutations unseen before, has been detected in South Africa and other counties.

India on Thursday called for rigorous screening and testing for fliers coming from South Africa, Hong Kong and Botswana where a new variant of COVID-19 has been found with multiple mutations that have led to a surge in infections.

"lt has now been reported by NCDC that multiple cases of a COVID-19 variant 8.1.1529 have been reported in Botswana (3 cases), South Africa (6 cases) and Honk Kong (1 case). This variant is reported to have a significantly high number of mutations, and thus, has serious public health implications for the country, in view of recently relaxed visa restrictions and opening up of international travel," a letter by Rajesh Bhushan, the Health Secretary, to states read.

"lt is therefore imperative that all international travellers travelling from and transiting through these countries, (they are part of the "at risk" Country Category of international travellers coming to India) and also including all other 'at risk' countries indicated in the revised Guidelines for international Arrivals issued by this Ministry dated 11.11.2021, are subjected to rigorous screening and testing, as per MoHFW Guidelines. The contacts of these international travellers must also be closely tracked and tested as per MoHFW guidelines," it said.

The new variant of COVID-19, feared to have a high amount of spike mutations unseen before, has been detected in South Africa and other counties, with authorities there confirming 22 positive cases associated with it on Thursday.