65 Covid positive samples from Mumbai sent for genome sequencing

MUMBAI: Even as all air passengers coming into the city are being subjected to thermal scans, BMC has sent 65 samples of Covid-positive patients to the National Institute of Virology in Pune for genome sequencing.
These samples include three patients who tested positive at Mumbai airport since random testing began on December 24. One more flier from Pune tested positive on Friday.
The genome sequencing results, which will be available in five days, will reveal if Mumbai has the BF.7 variant of Omicron that has caused a fresh wave in China. It was found in Gujarat and Odisha a few months back.
Random RTPCR testing of 2% of fliers began after the Centre sounded an alert over fresh Covid waves in many countries. On Friday, BMC additional commissioner Dr Sanjeev Kumar said there is no reason for panic over Covid in the city. "However, we are staying prepared. We have beds, doctors, medicines in place and, if the situation worsens, we have enough equipment to set up jumbo centres in a short time," said Dr Kumar.
He said the city's oxygen manufacturing capacity has quadrupled since the second wave when the city's daily requirement peaked at 230 MT a day. "The Centre had advised us to double peak-time requirement, but we've managed to increase it to 1150 MT daily."