Omicron threat: 10 South African nationals go missing in Karnataka

The South African nationals arrived in Bengaluru between November 12 and 22. 

Omicron threat: 10 South African nationals go missing in Karnataka
PTI

Bengaluru: At least 10 South African nationals, who had arrived in Bengaluru between November 12 and 22 had gone untraceable, IANS reported quoting sources on Friday. This comes after two cases of Omicron variant were detected in Karnataka’s capital on Thursday.

The Health Department, which is on high alert after the detection of Omicron cases, said they want to get these persons tested, but they have gone missing, sources said.

The officials also added that the missing people were not found at the addresses given by them at the airport and their mobile phones were switched off. As many as 57 persons had arrived from high-risk countries.

The health department has already approached the police department to track and trace these persons. The department is planning to send all samples to genomic sequencing tests to get clarity on the presence of Omicron virus.

Sources said that the stringent measures at the airport were initiated from November 22 onwards and these ten persons had arrived in Bengaluru before that.

When asked about this, Gaurav Gupta, the Chief Commissioner, stated that he doesn`t have any direct information regarding the matter. "I can say that contact tracing is a continuous process and if they are not found, there are standard protocols to deal with the situation. We are prepared to tackle any situation."

Gaurav Gupta also hinted at the initiation of restrictions after the high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai.

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