Nashik collector for genome sequencing of foreign fliers

NASHIK: District collector Suraj Mandhare has stressed on the need for genome sequencing of people flying in to the district from foreign destinations and those who have a history of travelling abroad to check for the Omicron variant of Covid-19.
Mandhare said chief minister Uddhav Thackeray held a review (via video conference) of the preparedness of the administrations across the state. The CM emphasised on increasing testing and tracking people who have the history of foreign travel.
“As per information from subject experts, Omicron spreads three times faster than the Delta-plus variant. We have, therefore, decided to get full information on people who have come to Nashik recently. The data will be sourced and health screenings will be performed,” Mandhare said.
The officer said that checks will be kept on people coming in to Nashik by road if they have landed at other airports in Maharashtra or elsewhere. The administration will also carry out genome sequencing of the fliers to get a clearer picture on the matter.
“Since genome sequencing test results take time, we have decided not to wait for any positive case in the state. We will carry out genome sequencing of every person who flies in so that we can find out if the person was infected or not and with which variant at the earliest. This will help in taking corrective measures to contain the spread,” the collector said.
Mandhare added that the state government would issue some revised guidelines on protection, prevention and preparedness and the same would be followed in totality across the district.
“While testing will also be increased, as far as preparedness is concerned, we will get some guidelines that will be followed,” he said.