Two passengers test positive for Covid-19 at Kolkata airport, sent to quarantine

Two percent of all passengers arriving at international airports have to undertake random post-arrival testing to reduce the risk of Covid-19.

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Kolkata: The Covid-19 scare has been on an increase with China reporting a rapid increase in Covid-19 positive cases. Today, two passengers returning from abroad have tested positive for the Coronavirus infection at the Kolkata Airport, airport sources said on Monday. Both samples have been sent for genome sequencing. According to sources, one of the positive passengers came from Dubai on Saturday while another came from Malaysia`s Kuala Lumpur. Patients are kept in quarantine in Beliaghata ID Hospital. Following the advisory `Guidelines for International Arrivals`, issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has commenced random post-arrival testing for International arrivals at Delhi Airport, said Dr Gauri Agarwal, Founder of Genestrings Diagnostic Center on Sunday. 

According to the new instructions by the government, 2 percent of all passengers arriving at international airports have to undertake random post-arrival testing at the Delhi Airport from December 24. This is being done to reduce the risk of ingress of the new Covid-19 variant BF.7 in India. 

Earlier in the day, four international travellers from Myanmar tested positive for the Coronavirus infection at the Delhi airport. It is pertinent to mention that Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will hold a virtual meeting with the Indian Medical Association (IMA) at 4 pm today for the Covid-19 preparedness, situation. Recently, the IMA also issued an advisory and appealed to the public to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour with immediate effect. 

"In view of the sudden surge of Covid-19 cases in different countries, the Indian Medical Association alerts and appeals to the public to follow Covid-19 appropriate behaviour with immediate effect." "As per available reports, nearly 5.37 lakhs new cases have been reported in last 24 hours from major countries like USA, Japan, South as per the available reports, nearly 5.37 lakhs new cases have been reported in last 24 hours from major countries like USA, Japan, South Korea, France, and Brazil," read the statement of IMA.

The entire country is gearing up for a possible fourth wave of Covid-19, with the new Omicron sub-variant BF.7, which is said to be the reason behind the surge in Covid cases in China, being detected in India. 

(With inputs from ANI)