3 samples sent to CCMB found positive for UK variant of coronavirus

Three people who returned from UK recently were infected with mutated strain of coronavirus, a top official of CCMB in Hyderab said on Tuesday.

Around 40 samples were sent to CSIR- Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) for ascertaining presence of new variant out of which three h a new strain.

"CCMB has received about 40 samples of COVID-19 positive patients who returned from UK recently. Some of m have wrongly tested positive for virus.

We finished sequencing (for a new variant) of 20 samples, out of which three are positive of this strain (new variant from UK)," Rakesh Mishra, Director, CSIR-CCMB told PTI.

Mishra said re is surprise that new variant of virus is found in some of samples. According to official, large scale testing is need of hour and people need t worry too much about new strain.

"It (a new strain of COVID-19) is just fresh, orwise, it is same virus and t much of an issue. Same symptoms, mortality, everything is same.. we just have to take precautions," he said ding that new strain may spre faster.

He said India is largest reservoir of coronavirus and people should take precautions to prevent spre of virus.

According to government, 1,216 people have returned from UK to Telangana since December 9 and out of m, 1060 have been traced and six of m left for different countries while 58 belong to or states.

state government has conducted tests on 996 people, out of which 21 tested positive and results of nine more are awaited.

(Im credits: Representative/PTI)