Mumbai: First case of Omicron variant in Maharashtra found in Kalyan-Dombivali
Mumbai, 4th December 2021: Presence of the Omicron variant has been confirmed from laboratory investigation in a 33-year-old passenger arrived in Mumbai on 24th November 2021 from Capetown, South Africa through Dubai and Delhi. The passenger is the first patient with Omicron variant in the state.
This young passenger is a resident of Kalyan-Dombivali Municipal Corporation and has not taken any Covid-19 vaccine. On 24th November, the passenger got mild fever. However, no other symptoms were observed. This mildly symptomatic patient is being treated at the Covid Care Centre in Kalyan-Dombivali. 12 of the passenger’s high-risk contacts and 23 of the low-risk contacts have been traced and all have been tested negative for Covid-19. Additionally, 25 of the co- passengers from the Delhi-Mumbai flight have also been tested negative. More contacts are currently being traced.
Meanwhile, results of the genomic sequencing of a 60-year-old male passenger’s sample who had arrived from Zambia has been obtained from the National Institute of Virology and Omicron has not been detected in the sample. Instead, a sub-lineage of Delta variant has been detected in the sample.
Until today morning, 3,839 passengers arriving from at-risk countries for Omicron at Mumbai airport have been tested with RT-PCR and 344 out of 17,107 passengers arrived from other countries have
been tested.
Since 1st December 2021, 8 passengers have been tested positive for Covid-19 and their samples have
been sent for genomic sequencing. Additionally, field surveillance of all international passengers who
have arrived since 1st November is underway.
Genetic changes/mutation in viruses is a natural phenomenon and people should not panic.
The Public Health Department appeals to the citizens that they should follow Covidappropriate behaviour, inform the Public Health Department authorities if they have had an international travel history in the last month and those who have not taken Covid-19 vaccine or have had only one dose should complete their vaccination at the earliest.
