Omnicron scare: RTPCR testing facilities at IGI airport reviewed for passengers from at-risk countries

Zee News file pic

New Delhi: Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya reviewed RTPCR testing facilities for passengers coming from "at-risk" countries at Indira Gandhi International Airport on Sunday. 

Following the visit, Mandaviya said that 35 rapid RT-PCR testing machines are functional within Terminal III of the airport. "With this, passengers screening and testing time can be reduced to even 30 minutes," tweeted Mandaviya. 

Delhi | Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya reviewed RTPCR testing facilities for passengers coming from at-risk countries at IGI airport pic.twitter.com/FCUpsu4SRv — ANI (@ANI) December 5, 2021

Meanwhile, 21 cases of Omicron variant of COVID-19 have been reported across the country. Out of these 21 cases, nine have been reported in Rajasthan, eight in Maharashtra, two in Karnataka and one each in Delhi and Gujarat.

The new variant of COVID-19 was first reported to the World Health Organisation (WHO) from South Africa on November 25. 

As per the WHO, the first known confirmed B.1.1.529 infection was from a specimen collected on November 9 this year.On November 26, the WHO named the new COVID-19 variant B.1.1.529, which has been detected in South Africa, as `Omicron`. 

The WHO has classified Omicron as a `variant of concern`.Dozens of countries have imposed travel restrictions on the southern African nations since the mutation was discovered.

The new Omicron coronavirus variant has been confirmed in 23 countries and their number is expected to rise, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus had said.

India has also added several countries to the list from where travellers would need to follow additional measures on arrival in the country, including post-arrival testing for infection.