At least 150 samples sent in one go for genomic sequencing in TN

CHENNAI: At least 150 samples of international passengers are being sent for genomic sequencing in one go at the State Public Health Laboratory at King Institute currently. The samples of international passengers are being sent for genomic sequencing to identify the variant if they tested positive for COVID-19.

Dr P Sampath, joint director of the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine said that on an average, about 2-4 international passengers are testing positive for COVID-19 on a daily basis at the international airports in Tamil Nadu.

The random RT-PCR testing of two percent of the international passengers continues and all passengers from China, Singapore, Hong Kong , the Republic of Korea, Thailand and Japan are being tested with RT-PCR.

As per the revised guidelines from the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine for international travellers to India, it mandatorily required to take pre-departure RT-PCR, which is to be conducted within 72 hours prior to undertaking the journey and this applies for passengers in all international flights from these countries from January 1, 2023.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation's Air Suvidha Portal to allow the international travellers to submit their negative RT-PCR test reports and self-declaration form on the portal will also be started.

All travellers advised for self-monitoring on post arrival shall report their nearest health facility or State Helpline Number (104) in case they have any symptoms suggestive.

As on Friday, 47,859 international passengers have arrived in Tamil Nadu, of which 1,084 have undergone random RT-PCR testing, and 10 international passengers have been tested positive for Covid and eight of them remain in home isolation, while two are cross notified or discharged.

On Friday, 14 cases of Covid were reported, taking the total cases to 35,94,415. Chennai recorded four cases Chengalpattu had three cases, two in Kancheepuram and one case each was reported in Coimbatore, Cuddalore Kanyakumari, Madurai and Thiruvannamalai. Of the 74 active cases, 29 are in Chennai.

With 5,622 samples being tested in the last 24 hours, the positivity rate stood at 0.2 percent. A total of eight more people have recovered, taking total recoveries to 35,56,292. No deaths were reported due to Covid and toll stands at 38,049.