The Karnataka government on Friday, 3 December, ordered an inquiry into the first Omicron variant case detected in the state, after Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai chaired a meeting to discuss the prevailing COVID-19 situation in Karnataka.
"The person stayed at a hotel and held some meetings there. After that, he went away to Dubai, so there are 2 reports – one positive and one negative, which is doubtful, lab must be investigated," Karnataka Revenue Minister R Ashoka was quoted as saying by news agency ANI after the meeting, alluding to the Omicron case.
The Commissioner of Police of Bengaluru will monitor the investigation into the RT-PCR report, the minister indicated.
Omicron Cases in Bengaluru
Two fully vaccinated males aged 46 and 66 years had tested positive for the omicron variant in Karnataka on Thursday.
The 66-year-old man had tested positive on 20 November, but none one of his contacts had tested positive. The man later reportedly left India for Dubai after testing negative, a test which was conducted by a private lab.
The 46-year-old had no travel history and is a health professional. The patient had 13 primary contacts and 250 secondary contacts, out of which, five have tested COVID-19 positive.
Union Health Ministry's Joint Secretary said that all Omicron-related cases are found to have mild symptoms so far.
10 South African Nationals 'Missing'
Further, 10 South African nationals have allegedly gone missing from the airport after landing in Karnataka. These South African nationals had arrived in Bengaluru between 12 and 22 November. The Health Department, which is on high alert after detection of omicron cases, wanted to get these persons tested.
The Health Department has already approached the police to track and trace these persons, as it plans to send all samples for genomic sequencing tests.
"By tonight all 10 people who have reportedly gone missing should be traced and they should be tested. Travellers will not be allowed to leave the airport until their report is out," Ashoka was quoted as saying by NDTV after the meeting.
Only Fully Vaccinated Citizens Allowed Into Theatres, Malls in Karnataka
The government of Karnataka on Friday announced a slew of restrictions in order to check the COVID-19 situation in the state.
"The entry to malls, cinema halls/theatres, shall be allowed only to the persons who are vaccinated with two doses of COVID vaccine," the state government announced.
"It is emphasized that all gathering, meeting, conferences etc, should strictly limit number of participants to 500 people only and COVID appropriate behaviour shall be strictly enforced during the event."Karnataka Government
Parents of children below the age of 18, who are attending educational institutions, must be compulsorily vaccinated with both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. All government employees must also be fully vaccinated, says the guideline.
The government also ordered the postponement of all cultural events in educational institutions until 15 January 2022.
'Duty Is To Track and Trace Such Strains': Bommai
On Thursday, Bommai expressed caution and said, "I've discussed this with Union Health Min. He said he'll give further details. Our duty is now to track and trace such strains and their contacts wherever it's found. We're already tracking & tracing international travellers."
Omicron variant has been dubbed 'variant of concern' by the World Health Organization (WHO).
(With inputs from ANI and NDTV.)
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