A 39-year-old male resident of Sector 36 Chandigarh, who had returned from South Africa on November 21 has been tested positive for Covid-19. The patient’s sample has been sent to Delhi for genome sequencing amid concerns over the potentially more transmissible new “Omicron” (B.1.1.529) variant of the virus detected in South Africa.
“The 39- year-old male was earlier RT-PCR negative on arrival at the airport. He was quarantined at home on his arrival at Chandigarh and has been tested positive on Monday after re-testing as per the protocol,” said Yashpal Garg, Chandigarh Health Secretary while talking to The Pioneer. Garg said the patient’s wife and maid have also been tested positive for Covid-19. All three patients have been shifted to GMCH-32 for treatment. Samples have been sent for genome sequencing to detect the Covid-19 variant, he said.
The Health Secretary also said that guidelines have been issued in the city amid concerns raised over the new variant of Covid-19.
A total of eight positive cases were detected in the city on Monday.
Notably, the new potentially more contagious Covid-19 variant, which was first identified in South Africa, has led to fresh travel restrictions, with governments around the world scrambling to stop the transmission.
The UT Health Secretary also reviewed the Covid-19 situation in a high-level meeting here, following which fresh guidelines were issued by Chandigarh Administration to contain the virus.
PATIENTS VISITING HOSPITALS TO UNDERGO COVID-19 TESTING
The UT Administration has made it mandatory for all the patients visiting the government hospitals to undergo Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) or RT-PCR tests. In case of admission to GMCH-32, GMSH-16, Sub-District Hospitals at Sector-22, 45 and Manimajra, all the patients will be subjected to RAT and RT-PCR tests. In case of OPD, all the patients will be subjected to RAT.
Further, all the symptomatic patients would have to undergo RT-PCR test also. In case of asymptomatic patients, the concerned doctor may insist for RT-PCR test in addition to RAT. In case of emergency and serious patients, the concerned doctor may immediately provide the treatment and get the COVID test done at a later stage, according to the guidelines issued by Chandigarh Administration.
The Health Secretary has also directed the PGIMER to increase the COVID testing for patients coming for admission and in OPD. He said that at the Health and Wellness Centres also, efforts will be made to start COVID testing for the patients coming in OPD.
PUNJAB HEALTH MINISTER REVIEWS PREPARATIONS TO TACKLE THIRD POSSIBLE WAVE OF COVID-19
With the emergence of Omicron variant of Covid-19, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Om Prakash Soni on Monday reviewed the preparations of the State to tackle the third possible wave of the Pandemic, while asking the Health officials to ensure strict monitoring of the passengers coming especially from South Africa, Brazil, Bangladesh, Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Singapore, Hong Kong and Israel as the new variant cases have detected recently.
Soni, who is also minister in-charge Health and Family Welfare Department, directed the Health Department officials to immediately start preparations to deal with any possible exigency, besides initiating the procurement of necessary medicines and equipment in this regard.
Secretary Health and Family Welfare Mr Vikas Garg apprised the Deputy Chief Minister that the State Health Department has started monitoring of the passengers as per the guidelines issued by Union Health Ministry for passengers coming from other countries.
