West Bengal on high alert after first case of new UK coronavirus strain reported in Kolkata
Kolkata/IBNS: The West Bengal health department has put its machineries on high alert after the first case of the new UK strain of Coronavirus, which is reportedly 70 per cent more contagious than the existing one, was confirmed in Kolkata, sources said.
According to reports, the son of a senior state health official, who recently returned from Britain and was asymptomatic, tested positive for Coronavirus and the presence of new contagious UK strain was found in his sample later.
Sources in the state health department said that the patient had been admitted to a "completely isolated" ward in the Calcutta Medical College and Hospital.
"As the UK returnee has contracted the new strain of SARS-CoV-2, he has been kept isolated from other Covid-19 patients," a state health official told IBNS.
Meanwhile, in the wake of the new Covid-19 strain, the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has extended its temporary suspension of flights from the United Kingdom till Jan 7.
Decision has been taken to extend the temporary suspension of flights to & from the UK till 7 January 2021.
— Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) December 30, 2020
Thereafter strictly regulated resumption will take place for which details will be announced shortly.
India, so far, has reported at least 20 confirmed cases of new UK coronavirus strain.
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