Bengaluru, Oct 26 (UNI) Karnataka Education Minister BC Nagesh said there is no need to panic over the new variant of Covid-19, which has been found in seven people in the state.

"There is no need to panic. The new variant, AY 4.2, is different from the older ones," he said. The state had resumed in-person classes for primary schoolchildren from Monday.

Experts said vaccination is the most effective deterrent to check the spread of new variants. Also, maintaining social distancing and wearing masks along with vaccination is vital at this point of time, they said.

Three persons, who have been infected with the new variant, are from Bengaluru and four others are from different parts of the state.

A team of officials will be sent to the infected persons' homes to conduct Covid tests on them and a contact tracing will also be carried out.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday said he has discussed the issue with Health Minister K Sudhakar and will take strict measures to check the virus.

This development comes in the wake of Karnataka government relaxing strict Covid guidelines.

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