Two people have been quarantined at their homes in Hospet, Vijayanagara district, after returning from Guinea in West Africa, where the new coronavirus strain Omicron has been found.
Though RT-PCR tests of the returnees tested negative for COVID-19, Taluk Health and Family Welfare Officer Bhaskar told a media conference in Hosapete on Tuesday that precautions were taken due to the prevalence of the Omicron variant.
The two people, one of whom is 30 and the other 35, are Hosapete natives. They’d gone to Guinea for work and returned on November 28 when their contract expired.
On November 29, both returnees tested negative for COVID-19. However, due to the spread of the new COVID-19 type, we have confined them at home for seven days as per the current rules. After their quarantine period is over, RT-PCR testing will be performed once more.
Dr. Bhaskar said that the administration had made procedures to test hotel and restaurant workers once every 15 days.
“We’re also doing school screenings.” Vaccination and raising public awareness are ongoing activities.
“In Hosapete taluk, 82% of people have had their first dosage of the vaccine, and 76% have received their second dose,” he stated.