6 UK returnees test positive for new Covid strain in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Six UK returnees to the state have tested positive for the new Coronavirus strain. These include two persons each in Kozhikode and Alappuzha and one each in Kottayam and Kannur.
Health minister K K Shailaja said these persons had returned to the state after December 14. “They had been remaining in quarantine since then after testing positive for Covid-19.Their samples were sent to NIV Pune and the results were received today,” she said. They have been shifted to hospitals now while a list of people who came into contact with them has been prepared. Those in the contact list have also been put under quarantine, she said.
The minister said 39 UK returnees had tested positive for Covid-19 in the state after December 14. Of the samples sent to NIV Pune, 12 had tested negative for the modified strain. The remaining results are awaited.
Shailaja urged all those coming back from foreign countries to immediately report to the local health authorities. All those coming from European countries are being screened at airports after the new strain was reported in the UK. Over 2,000 people have returned from the UK after that. It has been decided to further strengthen the screening at airports, she said.
Shailaja asked people to be more cautious. “More people are coming out now after the removal of lockdown restrictions. We should impose a self lockdown now; people should go out only for emergency purposes. The next few weeks are crucial,” she said.