COVID-19 new strain: Sample sent for RT-PCR test of UK returnee Nagpur man

A 28-year old man in Nagpur, who had tested positive for novel coronavirus on December 15, is suspected of carrying the new strain of COVID-19 found in the United Kingdom (UK), the administration of Government Medical College, Nagpur said on Thursday (December 24).

According to Dr Avinash Gawande, the Superintendent of the college, the patient had returned from UK on November 29 and was found COVID-19 negative at the time. He said, ‘’After seven days he started showing symptoms and complained about the loss of smell. He was again tested for COVID-19 at Nandavan public health clinic (PHC) and his Rapid Antigen Test came on December 15'’.

He added, ‘’His family members were also tested positive for COVID-19. The family has a history of going to Gondia in Maharashtra. On December 22, the man was admitted to the hospital. We collected two samples for testing. A sample has been sent for RT-PCR test and another to Pune for further examination’’.

The Municipal Commissioner of Nagpur, Radhakrishnan B,said, ‘’28-year-old male COVID positive patient, with travel history to the UK, has been admitted to a separate ward at Government Medical College Nagpur. His swab has now been sent to Pune for further investigation. After receiving the report from Pune, it can be said whether this patient is a new strain or an old strain’’.

Earlier on December 20, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson had informed the public that a new variant of COVID-19 virus has been found in UK.