South Africa, Brazil mutated Covid strains have reached India Feb 17, 2021

NEW DELHI: The South African and Brazilian mutant strains of coronavirus have entered the country, apart from the UK variant reported in 187 people so far.

Four persons were detected with the South Africa variant of SARS-CoV-2 in India in January, while one tested positive for the Brazil variant in the first week of February, said Balram Bhargava, director-general of Indian Council of Medical Research, on Tuesday.

All five have been quarantined. The South Africa strain has been detected in four returnees — one from Angola, one from Tanzania and two from South Africa in January, Bhargava said. “The ICMRNIV is attempting to isolate and culture the SA variant strain from samples of these four returnees

The number of people who have tested positive for the UK variant of SARS-CoV-2 in India has reached 187. Speaking about measures to keep a check on the entry of virus strains (South Africa/Brazil) into the country, health secretary Rajesh Bhushan said flights from South Africa and Brazil to India are routed through Gulf nations.

“The government is looking at bringing in measures to check passengers from these countries,” he said.

Lakshmi Maadhusoodanan,

Research intern