TN reports first Omicron case

Chennai, Dec 16 (UNI) A 47-year-old male passenger, who arrived
here from Nigeria via Doha, has tested positive for Omicron variant,
becoming the first case in Tamil Nadu.
Talking to reporters here last night, Health Minister Ma.Subramanian
said Tamil Nadu reported the first case of the Omicron variant of
SARS-CoV-2 after whole genome sequencing of the sample of the
man tested positive.
The genome sequencing results of the samples of six of his family
members and a co-passenger, who travelled with him, are awaited.
He said the sample of the Chennai resident was analysed at the State
Public Health Laboratory’s genome sequencing facility during which
the S-gene dropout was identified.
It was sent to the National Institute of Virology, Pune, which has
confirmed that he was infected with the Omicraon variant, he said.
The passenger was admitted to the Government Corona Hospital,
Guindy. Six of his family members, including a 16-year-old, had
also tested positive for S-Gene dropout, were in hospital isolation.
“All of them have mild symptoms but are being monitored closely. In
the last two days, the Health Department has taken up tracing and
monitoring of the contacts of the person whose preliminary gene test
had revealed the S-gene dropout and found a 42-year-old co-passenger,
who had also tested positive for COVID-19.
An analysis found the S-gene dropout in his sample too,” he said and
added that all samples were sent for genomic sequencing to INSACOG
laboratories.
The Minister said the contacts of the co-passenger were also being
traced. Except for the 16-year-old, all seven persons had received
two doses of COVID-19 vaccines. Hence, they had mild symptoms,
he said.
Mr Subramanian said till date 41 people who had tested positive on
arrival in the State were undergoing treatment at hospitals, while
three persons were discharged.
UNI