Omicron Scare In India: South Africa Returnee Infected With ‘Variant Different From Delta’

Bengaluru: At least one of the two foreign nationals who travelled from South Africa to Bengaluru recently has been found to be infected by a variant “different from the Delta variant”, Karnataka Health minister Dr K Sudhakar informed on Monday.

Both persons had tested positive for COVID-19 on arrival in Bengaluru earlier this month and were initially said to have been affected by the Delta variant of coronavirus.

It is not yet clear whether the traveller has contracted Omicron, the highly transmissible variant recently detected in South Africa and spreading to different countries.

Also Read: Man Returns From South Africa, Tests COVID Positive In Thane; No Confirmation Of Omicron

The Karnataka government has sought clarity from Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Union Health ministry on the variant detected in the foreign national.

“I will not comment on the detection of the Omicron variant. We are holding discussions with ICMR and the ministry of health at the Centre. One person who is around 63-year-old has been infected by a variant that is different from the Delta variant. The ICMR has been consulted and we should have clarity by this evening,” said Sudhakar.

The minister informed that all passengers who have arrived in Karnataka in the last fortnight are being tracked for the last two days.

Also Read: Omicron Scare: India Revises COVID Guidelines For International Travellers

“We will get a report by December 1 on the new variant and its characteristics and patterns. As per the latest information, the variant has been seen in 12 different countries and there will be international travellers who have come from these countries and they will have to be monitored,” he said.