A few hours after the Center and the Tamil Nadu government banned all flights from the UK due to a new coronavirus
strain found in the country, a passenger who landed in Chennai from London via Delhi tested positive for COVID-19.
“A passenger who came to Chennai from the UK via Delhi tested positive for Covid19. Samples taken from it were sent to NIV Pune to identify if it is the new strain of the virus. The patient was already in quarantine and has now been transferred to the Kings Institute. There is no reason to panic, ”said State Health Secretary J Radhakrishanan.
Radhakrishnan along with other officials visited the Chennai airport and inspected the measures taken to check on passengers landing at the airport from abroad.
The secretary advised all citizens to wear masks and follow social distancing and also use disinfectants frequently.
“All those who land at Chennai airport from abroad will have to be quarantined for 14 days and this is mandatory. Passengers not only from the UK but from any country will have to be quarantined for 14 days, ”said Radhakrishnan.
In the past 10 days, a total of 1,078 passengers have landed at Chennai airport from abroad and the government is taking steps to track them down, he said.
“We only have information about a new strain of the virus, but we still don’t have any cases with the new strain. People should not be afraid of the new strain, ”said the Secretary of Health.
(With input from Sateesh)
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