In Gujarat’s Bhavnagar, a man who had recently returned from China tested positive for coronavirus. His sample was sent to Gandhinagar for genome sequencing. The 34-year-old Bhavnagar resident had travelled to China for business purposes. On December 19, he returned to India.
Bhavnagar corporation has spiked Covid-19 testing in the city in the wake of the state government ramping up precautionary measures to check the spread of the virus. Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel on Wednesday asked officials to conduct “compulsory” testing of travellers arriving in the state from other countries.
Until now, India has reported four cases of BF.7 variant of Omicron, the strain driving the Covid surge in China. Two of the new variant cases have been detected in Gujarat.
Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday asked states to remain alert and create awareness about following Covid-appropriate behaviour. In view of the upcoming Christmas and new year celebrations, the health minister emphasised the need to create awareness about wearing face masks and using hand sanitisers.
Minister said “In view of upcoming festivals and new year celebrations, states also need to focus on ensuring effective awareness within the community on adherence to Covid-appropriate behaviour which includes use of masks, hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene practices, besides following physical distancing.”
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