MAHABANDH: The Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has imposed a lockdown from 9pm to 6am till January 1, 2021 and banned flights from the UK to ensure that the new variant of the coronavirus will not spread to the state

By Public Health England

The new variant of Covid-19 reportedly originated in South Africa and spreads much more rapidly than Covid-19. It has got out of control and affected the whole of the UK. The Goa government is concerned as 900 Goans have arrived from the UK between December 9 and 20, 2020. The UK Goans will be subjected to RT/PCR test and samples of those testing positive will be sent to the National Institute of Virology in Pune to identify if it is the new variant. The new variant has been spreading in the UK since November 15….

The new variant transmits more easily than the previous one but there is no evidence that it is more likely to cause severe disease or mortality.
Data from whole genome sequencing, epidemiology and modelling suggest the new variant ‘VUI – 202012/01’ (the first Variant Under Investigation in December 2020) transmits more easily than other variants.
We currently have no evidence that the variant is more likely to cause severe disease or mortality – but we are continuing investigations to understand this better.
The way to control this virus is the same, whatever the variant. It will not spread if we avoid close contact with others. Wash your hands, wear a mask, keep your distance from others, and reduce your social contacts.

Is there any evidence that the variant is more serious?

We currently have no evidence that this variant causes more severe disease or higher mortality, but we continue to study cases to understand this better. We know that mortality is a lagging indicator and we will need to continually monitor this over the coming weeks.

Why is this more transmissible?

We know that mutations in the spike protein, the part of the virus that makes it infectious, can change how the virus interacts with human cells. However, we do not yet know the mechanism for this increase in transmission.
The evidence shows that infection rates in geographical areas where this particular variant has been circulating have increased faster than expected, and the modelling evidence has demonstrated that this variant has a higher transmission rate than other variants in current circulation.

How long has this variant been in circulation?

All viruses mutate over time and new variants emerge regularly.
Backwards tracing using the genetic evidence suggests this variant emerged in September 2020 and then circulated at very low levels in the population until mid-November.
The increase in cases linked to the new variant first came to light in late November when PHE was investigating why infection rates in Kent were not falling despite national restrictions. We then discovered a cluster linked to this variant spreading rapidly into London and Essex.
Evidence of increased transmissibility was provided to NERVTAG and ministers on December 18.

Is this variant resistant to the Pfizer vaccine?

There is currently no evidence to suggest that the Pfizer vaccine would not protect people against the new variant.
Further laboratory work is currently being undertaken as a priority to understand this.

How widespread is the variant geographically?

144 lower tier local authorities have identified at least 1 case genomically, although the vast majority of cases identified are in London, the South East and the East of England.

Can tests detect this new variant?

Labs have been issued with guidance to adapt processes to ensure that PCR tests can detect this variant.
PCR tests can be adapted rapidly to respond to the new variant.

Courtesy: www.gov.uk

POSITIVES WILL BE TESTED AGAIN!

Government of India Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Standard Operating Procedure for Epidemiological Surveillance and Response in the context of new variant of SARS-CoV-2 virus detected in United Kingdom

Introduction

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). This variant is estimated by European Center for Disease Control (ECDC) to be more transmissible and affecting younger population. This variant is defined by a set of 17 changes or mutations. One of the most significant is an N501Y mutation in the spike protein that the virus uses to bind to the human ACE2 receptor. Changes in this part of the spike protein may result in the virus becoming more infectious and spreading more easily between people.

Scope

This Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) describes the activities to be undertaken at the point of entry and in the community for all International passengers who have travelled from or transited through UK in the past 4 weeks (from 25th November to 23rd December 2020). Any reference to testing in this SOP implies RT-PCR testing only.

Part A

Actions to be taken at International Airports

All international travelers as described in the scope above will be required to declare as per existing procedure, their travel history (of past 14 days) and fill up the Self Declaration Form to be screened for COVID-19.
The flights from UK stand suspended temporarily from 23rd December till 31st December 2020 or till further orders. All the passengers coming from UK during the intervening period from 21st to 23rd December 2020 shall be subjected to the following process:

1. Respective State governments shall ensure that all passengers travelling from or transiting through airports in UK and disembarking in India would be subjected to RT-PCR test on arrival. In case of a positive sample, it is recommended that spike gene-based RT-PCR test should also be performed by an appropriate laboratory.
2. Passengers testing positive shall be isolated in an institutional isolation facility in a separate (isolation) unit coordinated by the respective State Health Authorities. They would earmark specific facilities for such isolation and treatment. Necessary action to send the samples to National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune or any other appropriate lab for genomic sequencing will be initiated at the facility level.
   a. If the report of the sequencing is consistent with the current SARS-CoV-2 virus genome circulating in the country; the ongoing treatment protocol including home isolation/treatment at facility level as per case severity may be followed.
   b. If the genomic sequencing indicates the presence of new variant of SARS-CoV-2 then the patient will continue to remain in a separate isolation unit. While necessary treatment as per the existing protocol will be given, the patient shall be tested on 14th day, after having tested positive in the initial test. In case the sample is found positive on 14th day, further sample may be taken until his two consecutive samples taken 24 hours apart are tested negative.
3. Those who are found negative on testing with RT-PCR at the airport would be advised quarantine at home and followed up as detailed in Part-C.
4. The concerned airlines shall ensure that prior to check-in, the traveler is explained about this SOP. In-flight announcements must also be made explaining the relevant information to the passengers. Relevant information in this regard shall be prominently displayed in arrival area and waiting area of the airports.
5. Adequate arrangements for passengers waiting for their RT-PCR test results duly following effective isolation may also be made at the airports in conjunction with the airport authorities.

Part B

SOP for Bureau of Immigration (BOI)

1. The State-wise passenger manifest of the flights from UK landing at various International airports in India for the past 4 weeks (from 25th November 2020 to 23rd December 2020) shall be conveyed by the Bureau of Immigration to State Government/Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) so that this data would be provided to the surveillance teams.
2. Bureau of Immigration shall share these manifest at the idsp-npo@nic.in and designated e- mails provided by the respective State Governments.
3. The data of manifests provided by Bureau of Immigration will be supplemented by the online Self-declaration Forms available on ‘AIR SUVIDHA’ portal.

Part C

SOP for Surveillance by State Governments/ Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP)

1. All the contacts* (without any exception) of those travelers who arrived at various airports on 21st -23rd December, 2020 and tested positive would be subjected to institutional quarantine in separate quarantine centers and would be tested as per ICMR guidelines (or earlier if the passenger develops any symptoms suggestive of COVID-19) as per Clause 1 in Part A. Contacts testing positive shall be subjected to activities mentioned in Clause 2 of Part A.
   (*Contacts of the suspect case are the co-passengers seated in the same row, 3 rows in front and 3 rows behind along with identified Cabin Crew)
2. The list of travelers (travelling between 21st -23rd December) who are found RT-PCR negative at airport testing shall be shared with the respective States by the Central unit of IDSP (facilitated by APHO/ BOI). They shall be advised for quarantine at home and tested as per ICMR guidelines (or earlier if the passenger develops any symptoms suggestive of COVID- 19) as per Clause 1 of Part A. Their monitoring would be ensured by respective State Governments/IDSP. Those found positive shall be subjected to activities mentioned in Clause 2 of Part A.
3. Those international travelers from UK who arrived in India from 25th November to 8th December 2020 (1st & 2nd week from 25th November) will be contacted by District Surveillance Officers and advised to self-monitor their health. If anyone amongst them develops symptoms, they will be tested by RT PCR as detailed in Clause 1of Part A.
   • If tested positive, genetic sequencing will be done. If the results are consistent with current circulating SARS-CoV2, action as contained in Clause 2(a) of Part A will be followed.
   • If the results of genomic sequencing are consistent with new variant, then action contained in Clause 2(b) of Part A will be followed.
4. The list of international travelers who arrived in India, as described in the scope above, between 9th December to 23rd December (3rd & 4th week) will be shared with respective State / District Surveillance Officers for daily follow up till 14 days after their arrival in India.
5. Passenger will be provided following advice during first visit / contact by health care provider:
   a. You will also receive daily calls/visit from State health officials to ask your health status for the day, kindly cooperate with them.
   b. You are requested to self-monitor for development of symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 i.e. Fever, Cough, Difficulty in breathing for 28 days from the date of arrival from UK.
   c. In case you develop symptoms (fever, cough, difficulty in breathing), put on a mask immediately, isolate yourself at home, and inform District Surveillance Officer or contact National (1075) or State Helpline.
6. District Surveillance Officer has to ensure daily follow up of passengers under observation for 28 days starting from date of arrival.
7. For all travellers, listed in Para 4 above, District Surveillance Officer shall facilitate testing (irrespective of previous testing at the place of origin or at the airport of arrival) with RT-PCR. In case the passengers have moved to locations outside the city of arrival, intimation should be sent to the concerned District/ State for needful as above.
   a. Those who test positive shall be isolated in an institutional isolation facility in a separate (isolation) unit by the respective State health authorities and necessary action as in Clause 2(a) Part A will be followed.
   b. If the genomic sequencing indicates the new variant of SARS-CoV-2 then action as in Clause 2 (b) Part A will be followed.
8. All the community contacts (without any exception) of those travelers who have tested positive would be subjected to institutional quarantine in separate Quarantine Centers and would be tested between 5-10th day as per current ICMR guidelines using RT-PCR as in Clause 1 of part A (or earlier if the passenger develops any symptoms suggestive of COVID-19). Community contacts testing positive shall be subjected to activities as in Clause 2 of Part A.
9. Information regarding any passenger covered within the scope of this SOP, who travels to another State will be immediately notified to the concerned State Health Authority. If any passenger is not traceable initially or during any duration while being followed up should be immediately notified to Central Surveillance Unit of IDSP by the District Surveillance Officer.