The BQ.1.1 sub-variant of Omicron has been reported for the first time in the state. A 25-year-old woman from Navi Mumbai was discovered to be infected with the variant, resulting in an increase in Covid cases in the United States. The woman was asymptomatic and recovered at home. However, experts warn that one must be cautious because it is unclear how the virus will behave.
After the surge in Covid cases in many countries, the Government of India decided to start random testing of two per cent flyers. Since December 24, at Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur airports, a total of 22,9767 passengers have arrived, out of which 5,071 were tested for RT-PCR. Eleven were found positive and samples were sent for genome sequencing.
According to the BMC health department, nine of the 11 positive patients arrived at Mumbai airport, with two passengers infected with the BQ.1.1 sub-variant. One of the passengers is a Goan, and the other is a Navi Mumbai resident.
She arrived from Zurich, Switzerland, on December 28. Executive Health Officer Dr Mangla Gomare said, “There is no need to panic as the above passenger was asymptomatic on arrival and tested as per two per cent random testing protocol. We have also notified the appropriate local authorities. She was advised to remain isolated.” According to reports in the United States, BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 are in use and account for nearly 70% of cases replacing the BA.5 sub-variant.