Following a returnee from Delhi via Dimapur testing positive for COVID-19 in Senapati district on Thursday amid JN.1 variant spike in the country, none of the contacts of the returnee were found positive for COVID-19 during contact tracing by the Health department.
The variant of COVID-19, which was detected from the returnee, was yet to be confirmed whether it is the old variant or the JN.1 variant. In order to confirm it the Health department had sent the swab sample to the NIV, Pune on Friday.
“If it is the JN.1 variant I think that at least one of the contacts might test positive among the 10 contacts. However, none of them tested positive,” said director of Health Service Sasheekumar Mangang while speaking to the Imphal Free Press.
He said that the true result of the variant can be confirmed after the genome sequencing which will be received within a few days.
Informing that the returnee who tested positive has been advised for home isolation as her condition is stable, he said that it is believed that the person will recover very soon.
Regarding the precautionary measures, the director informed that surveillance has been at Imphal Airport and has also instructed the district authority to do the same in the road ports.
Admitting that officials are unable to check all the drivers and handymen, returning to the state through roads as of now, he said however if a situation arises the government will do the needful.
In this regard, the director encourages all the drivers and handymen to visit the nearest health centres or hospitals if they have met any symptoms of COVID-19.
In the meantime the public must follow the COVID appropriate behaviour and avoid going in the crowd unnecessarily, he added.
The last case of COVID-19 was reportedly detected on December 4 from a person who does not have any travel history. According to the director, the person has fully recovered.
