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Bhubaneswar: With Odisha becoming the eleventh State in the country where a UK returnee had tested Covid-19 positive till Wednesday, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has asked the Airport Authority officials here to furnish the number of returnees from UK who had landed in the State during the last 30 days (before December 23).
Informed sources at the Biju Patnaik international airport in Bhubaneswar told odishatv.in on Thursday that so far the authorities have compiled the data of around 45 travellers who had returned to the state either from the United Kingdom (UK) or transited through any British airport.
“During the period of Nov 25- Dec 23, preliminary estimates show nearly 45 passengers had returned to Odisha either from UK or have transited through any UK airport. We are collecting data from airlines like Indigo, Air India and Vistara that operate flights linking all metros and Bhubaneswar,” said a senior AAI official on the condition of anonymity as he is not authorised to speak to the media directly. AAI Bhubaneswar Director VV Rao could not be contacted as he is on leave.
As per the Union Health Ministry’s new Covid-19 SOP, states/UTs have been advised to access the details of passengers who have returned from UK. Besides, the Centre has asked states to send the samples of those found positive to the six designated laboratories for genome sequencing. Among the 6 labs identified across the country, Bhubaneswar – based Institute of Life Sciences (ILS) is one where the genome sequencing of Covid-19 virus detected in any UK returnee will be tested.
Status Of Other States
Meanwhile, as per the data available with the Union Health Ministry, UK returnees have arrived in states like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Goa, Punjab, Gujarat and Kerala. Karnataka had already collected 233 samples from a total arrival of 2,500. Similarly, Telangana has identified 358 UK returnees. Nearly 3000 had returned to Maharashtra between November 25 and Dec 23. Delhi has identified nearly 1500 UK returnees. And the positive rate is estimated at 1.1 per cent till date.
Tracing Process In Odisha
“Odisha has asked all returnees from the UK since December 7 to go for voluntary registration with the State Covid portal. Also, BMC is in the process of collecting data from airport authorities. The tracing process in Bhubaneswar has already started. Soon all details will be announced,” said BMC Commissioner Prem Chaudary.
However, according to highly placed sources in the State Health Department the data shows that the UK returnees are seemingly spread out over two districts-- Khurda and Cuttack.
Meanwhile, the Additional Chief Secretary, Health PK Mohapatra said all the returnees from UK or those who have transited through any UK airport since December 7 will have to submit a self-declaration form mentioning their date of return.
“As per the protocol, all passengers returned from UK since December 7 need to remain in home isolation for 14 days from their date of arrival. And as per the Central guidelines, their samples will be sent for genome sequencing to ILS-Bhubaneswar. On being tested positive with some symptoms they will be shifted to institutional quarantine for treatment,” said Pradipta Mohapatra, Additional Chief Secretary, Odisha Health Department.
Is The UK Strain more Sicker?
As per the World Health Organization (WHO) emergencies chief, Dr. Michael Ryan, there is zero evidence regarding any increase in the severity of the coronavirus. But studies so far have revealed that the new strain B.1.1.17 is more contagious, means spreads faster, he added.
Since the transmission is higher, the public emergency is on account of this new strain of coronavirus. Unless controlled, it will affect a larger populace in a very short span of time.
Highly Contagious means: If a man/woman sneezes or coughs in a bus or train or at any crowded public place, this strain transmits at a faster rate as it has mutated in such a way that the strain beats human immunity.
However, preventive measures like wearing mask and maintaining 6-feet distance or say do gaz ki doori will prevent faster transmission of the new strain, said ILS director Ajay Parida.
