The 48-year old from Imphal West, who had recently visited the East African country of Tanzania, was tested positive for COVID-19 on December 21, as per sources.
TFM Desk
Manipur reports the first case of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 on Monday.
The 48-year old from Imphal West, who had recently visited the East African country of Tanzania, was tested positive for COVID-19 Omicron variant on December 21, as per sources. His sample was sent for genome sequencing at IBSD Takyelpat, Imphal. Three from his family have also been tested positive for COVID-19, according to sources.
Addressing media persons at the State Ophthalmic Cell, Directorate of Health, Imphal, health director Dr K Rajo informed that the individual is presently kept in isolation at JNIMS and his health is stable showing no symptoms.
The individual reached Imphal on December 13. After eight days of home isolation, his sample was collected and tested for COVID-19. He was found COVID positive on December 21, and his sample was sent to IBSD, Imphal for genome sequencing, he added.
The contact tracing was conducted swiftly, he said and added that three individuals were found to be COVID positive. They are asymptomatic and are being kept at a special isolation centre at RD Wing, Lamphel. Their samples have been sent for genome sequencing and the result is awaited, he added.
Replying to a query by TFM, Dr Rajo informed that the individual who has been tested positive for the Omicron variant is fully vaccinated. He had been inoculated abroad with the vaccine by the Johnson & Johnson company, Dr Rajo added.
Although the Omicron variant is said to be three to four times more transmissible compared to the Delta variant of COVID-19, it is not sevre, he said, while adding that people should take precautions all the more, he added. Dr K Rajo also urged eligible individuals to get vaccinated as soon as possible.