Chennai: Ruling out any Omicron cases in Tamilnadu so far, Health Minister Ma.Subramanian today said two air passengers, including a child, who arrived from ‘high-risk’ countries, have tested positive for Covid-19.
A 56-year-old man, a resident of Thanjavur, who arrived from Singapore at the Tiruchirapalli international airport early this morning tested positive for Covid.
Similarly, a ten-year-old girl, who came from UK along with her parents, also tested positive for Covid. Three members of the family, who accompanied her, were asked to isolate themselves.
The blood samples of both the passengers were sent for genome sequencing tests to ascertain whether they were infected with the mutated Omicron variant. Both of them were admitted to hospital for observation.
More than 140 passengers, who arrived from various countries, since last night tested negative for the virus. They have been asked to quarantine themselves at their homes.
Talking to newsmen here, Subramanian said though two air passengers have tested positive for coronavirus, whether they were infected with Omicron variant will be known only after receiving the genome sequencing results.
Stoutly refuting social media reports that both the passengers were infected with Omicron, the Minister appealed to the people not to panic and not to believe in rumours.
He reiterated that no Omicron positive case was reported in the State and the government has taken all precautionary measures to prevent its entry into the State.
Stating that it was a sensitive issue, he said the government would not hide anything. It would be transparent and openly declare if any positive case of Omicron was reported.
‘We will be transparent in announcing the results, as it will help in creating more public awareness against the virus’, he said and urged the social media users to be careful while posting sensitive issues.