Vishakhapatanam: The first case of Omicron, the latest variant of novel Coronavirus, has been confirmed in Andhra Pradesh by the state health officials.
A 34-year-old foreign traveller working as a scientist in the R&D analytical development wing at IPSEN Pharmaceutical Company in Ireland came to Visakhapatnam on November 27 by flight. He was first tested Negative at Mumbai airport. Later, on December 5, the AP health officials conducted an RT-PCR test, which showed positive.
“Immediately, we sent his samples to the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in Hyderabad for genome sequencing on December 6. The test results arrived on Sunday. He tested Omicron positive. However, he is now normal without any symptom and his RT-PCR test on December 11 was also negative,” medical and health officer S.V. Ramana Kumari told Deccan Chronicle.
At present, he is in home isolation at his in-laws’ house at Madhurawada in Visakhapatnam city. Seven primary and 15 secondary contacts got tested and the results were negative, Kumari added.
The AP public health director Dr Hymavathi said this was the first case of Omicron identified in the state. “A total of 15 foreign travellers were found positive for Covid-19 RT-PCR test so far and all the 15 samples were sent to CCMB for genome sequencing. We received the results of 10 cases on Sunday. Of them, only one case was of Omicron. We are waiting for the results of the remaining five cases sent for genome sequencing," she said.
Virus route
· November 26: The man started from Ireland
· 8 am, November 27: Reached Mumbai Airport
· RT-PCR test conducted at Mumbai Airport, tested negative
· Reached Vizag Airport on the same day at 5 pm
· November 28: Stayed at Aditya Nagar, Nagarampalem Road, Madhurawada,Vizag
· November 29: Started for Tirupati by Tirumala Express train along with family
· December 3: Returned to Vizag by train
· December 3: Visited Simhachalam temple, then went to his village Veeranarayanam by bus
· December 5: Tested Covid-19 positive
· December 6: Samples sent to CCMB Hyderabad
· December 11, RT-PCR tested negative
· December 12: Tested Omicron positive
