A new variant of SARS-CoV 2 virus

Chandigarh.24 December,2020:A new variant of SARS-CoV 2 virus (Variant Under Investigation (VUI)-20212/01) has been reported by the Government of United Kingdom (UK) to World Health Organization (WHO).
Passengers details have been shared by central surveillance unit of IDSP with the IDSP Unit of Chandigarh Health Department. 92 passengers travelled to Chandigarh from UK between 25th Nov, 2020 to 23rd December 2020.
Chandigarh Health department through its Help Desk is contacting all the passengers who have travelled from U.K. and the necessary advice as per SOP issued by GOI is being given to them after initial verification of date of arrival in India. Their addresses and important details are also being verified. They are being monitored for symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 and Contact history since arrival. They are advised to home isolate, self monitor their health, wear masks and adopt Covid appropriate behavior strictly. None of the travellers have reported any symptoms. Their further testing and Institutional isolation will be as per SOPs of GOI. Chandigarh Administration has dedicated Punjab University, International Hostel for institutional isolation.
The Chandigarh Police Department has also despatched teams to the addresses provided in the list and undertook the following activities:
Physical verification of the travellers was started.
An undertaking from foreign returned passengers to be under self home quarantine for 14 days was taken.
Beat staff has been directed to regularly monitor and ensure adherence to home quarantine.
*Details regarding the Travellers (9th Dec to 21st Dec) tracked on 24/12/2020 through HelpDesk *
1. No. of travellers in Chandigarh from UK as submitted by GOI : 52
2. No. of travellers contacted by Help Desk team : *35 *
3. No. of travellers who didn’t pick up the phone : 17
4. No. of travellers out of station : *2 *( One gone back to UK and one gone to Goa)
All the travellers are also advised to inform SOS, if they develop any symptom related to COVID-19 at 24X7 COVID Help Line No. 2752038/9779558282.