Omicron surveillance strengthened at Hyderabad Airport

Hyderabad, Nov 30, : Hyderabad Airport surveillance has been increased by Telangana Health Authorities in view Omicron, a new variant of Covid-19 that has been reported in a few countries.

The Centre has identified 12 countries as at risk, from which travellers would need additional precautions upon arrival in India.These are European countries, including the UK, South Africa and Bangladesh, Bostwana in China, Bostwana in China, Mauritius (New Zealand), Zimbabwe, Singapore, Hong Kong, Israel, and Zimbabwe.

For screening passengers arriving from these countries, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport has 10 teams.Reporters were told by Dr.G.Srinivasa Rao, Director of Public Health, that passengers will need to wait at the Airport until they receive their results.According to the Centres guidelines, travelers who are negative for a virus must be quarantined at home for seven days if they are found to have contracted it.They will be tested again on the eighth day, and if they are negative, they will need to self-monitor for the next seven days.Those who are positive for HIV will be transported by special ambulances to Telangana Institute of Medical Science, which has been designated as the government facility responsible for isolating all such cases.

Two floors of the TIMS building in Gachibowli were kept for isolating passengers who have tested positive for Covid.The samples of the recipients will be sent to genome sequencing.Results can be received within three days.According to the director of public health, 41 passengers were reported to have arrived from countries at-risk.22 passengers arrived from Europe.17 were from the United Kingdom, and two from Singapore.None of the passengers were found to be positive.

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research, (ICMR), both Rapid Antigen Test and RTPCR can detect the new variant.Official clarified that the new variant of the virus has not been detected in Telangana nor in the country.

He appealed for people to not believe the rumours.He said that if this variant is found, the government would inform them through the media.

Srinivasa Rao stated that people should not panic about the new variant, but instead follow Covids appropriate behavior by wearing masks and washing their hands.To counter Omicron-related problems and expedite Covid vaccination, he said that the government had established a Cabinet subcommittee led by T.Harish Rao, the health minister.He stated that the health minister had already asked the central government for a reduction in the time between two doses.ms/pgh #Omicron #surveillance #Hyderabad #Airport #Telangana.