11 types of variant found in India, Total 124 international travelers Covid positive

After the health ministry made RT PCR test mandatory for international passengers across the ports in India, a total of 124 international passengers have been found Covid positive.

A health ministry source on Thursday said that a total of 19,227 international passengers have been screened across all ports in the country from December 24 to Jan 3. Out of total, 124 international passengers have been tested positive so far.

Of the 124 positive samples, genome sequencing results of 40 were received of which XBB including XBB.1 was found in the maximum 14 samples. BF 7.4.1 has been found in one sample so far, the source said.

The source also said that 11 types of Covid variant have been detected in the country so far. However, he said, none of the variants seem causing much problem as of now and no visible impact have been observed so far.

Out of total, most of the patients have been detected of XBB variant which includes XBB.1, XBB.2, XBB.3,4,5. A total of 14 international travellers have been found of this variant. The other variant found in the country include BA.5, BQ 1.1 and BQ1.122, BQ 1. 1.5, CH1.1, CH.1.1.1, BF.7.4.1 and BB3.

However, the source said that no visible impact have been observed of these variants in the country so far. But, the month January is crucial from the Covid point of view. The vaccine is effective on all these variants, he added.