UK Returnee To Bhubaneswar Tests Negative For New Strain Of Coronavirus

Bhubaneswar: The UK returnee to the city has tested negative for the new strain of coronavirus, according to a report of the Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC), here.

Dr Debdutta Bhattacharya, scientist of RMRC, on Thursday said the preliminary diagnosis has detected that the 34-year-old returnee is not infected with the new contagious strain of coronavirus found in the UK .

He further said the sample has been sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune for test to clarify whether it’s the new strain or not.

The returnee had reached the city on December 18 and admitted in the COVID hospital.

After he tested positive for COVID-19 at a private lab, his samples were sent to RMRC for test using Spike Genone Sequencing technique to trace new strain.

Meanwhile, commissioner of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation Prem Chandra Chaudhary said the patient has been undergoing treatment in COVID hospital and samples of his family members collected for testing.

Also Read: UK Returnee In Bhubaneswar Tests COVID-19 Positive; Know Details