UK man tests positive, Tamil Nadu to trace passengers from Europe

CHENNAI: A man who arrived from the United Kingdom (UK) via New Delhi was tested positive for novel coronavirus at the Chennai airport. Authorities in the state have decided to trace and test all the passengers who travelled from Europe to the state in the last month due to the discovery of a new strain of coronavirus in the UK.

The passenger who was tested positive for COVID-19 was a 25-year-old student who returned after one year of study abroad. Dr K Narayanasany, National Institute of Ageing, Guindy, said that he is asymptomatic and has no comorbid conditions. Twenty three other passengers who travelled with him have tested negative and six more passengers are awaiting the test results. J Radhakrishnan, Secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu, said that the swab sample of passenger who tested positive has been sent to the National Institute of Virology, Pune, for genome sequencing.

Fifteen other passengers from Chengalpet, Chennai, Villupuram, Andamans, Puducherry and Villupuram, who were seated close to the UK-based traveler, are also asked to go into quarantine. Radhakrishnan added that all the other passengers on the flight have been asked to reach the nearest government hospital for testing in case they experience any symptom.