Manipur reported the first case of COVID-19 variant Omicron today. This is the first positive case of Omicron in the entire North East. 

 

The 48 year old infected man is reportedly asymptomatic and in a stable condition. He is being treated at JNIMS Hospital Covid Isolation Ward. The patient is from Imphal West District. He returned from Tanzania on December 11 with a negative test report for Covid-19. He landed at the Imphal International Airport on board Indigo Flight No. 6E-6014 on December 13. He has been under surveillance by a medical team since then.

 

The patient's sample was collected by a medical team of Imphal West District on December 20 from his residence and was found to be positive for COVID-19 the next day. Subsequently, his sample was sent for whole genome sequencing at INSACOG Genome sequencing facility opened at IBSD Takyelpat in Imphal and his residential area was immediately declared as containment zone. 

 

RTPCR test has been conducted upon 16 people who were in close contact with him out of which 3 have been detected positive for COVID-19. They are being treated at RD Wing Isolation centre in Imphal. Their samples have been sent for whole genome sequencing to detect for Omicron Variant.

 

Speaking to media today, Manipur Health Director Dr. K. Rajo said state health department has taken strict measures at Mao, Jiribam, Moreh entry-exit points and at the Imphal International Airport along with other necessary measures like manpower and medical equipments. He appealed to the public to abide by COVID SOPs as the new variant is highly transmissible.

 

JNIMS Hospital Director Dr. L. Deben told Impact News that the patient infected with Covid-19 Omicron Variant is healthy and asymptomatic. He appealed to the public not to panic but to take necessary precautions.