This is the second Covid cluster in Bengaluru this week. An international school in Whitefield had previously reported the outbreak, with 33 students and one staffer testing positive.
Karnataka reported 402 fresh cases on Friday, of which 224 were from Bengaluru. The last time the state recorded over 400 cases was on October 28, when 478 people tested positive. All the infected in the nursing college are first year students and are from Kerala. He had informed the college about two weeks ago. Three students showed flu-like symptoms along with the common cold and were tested. His three roommates tested negative and are under observation.
Nine isolated in CCC
Out of 12 positive students, 11 have been fully vaccinated. The 12th student is testing positive for the second time and has not been vaccinated. Urban district administrator Manjunath J said, “Nine students have been put in isolation as per the guidelines at the Covid Care Centre, Jigani.”
“Two students have gone back to Kerala as they were asymptomatic and one returned to Mumbai on November 25. Information about them has been passed on to the respective states,” he said.
According to the college management, the students were tested last week as part of the random test and were found negative.
The hostel and campus have been sanitized and health department officials are in touch with the students.
“The District Surveillance Officer, Anekal Taluk Health Officer and their teams have visited the campus and issued necessary precautionary measures,” Manjunath told TOI.
Rigorous testing, screening for SA, HK passengers
Amid concerns over the new COVID-19 version B.1.1529, the state government on Friday issued a circular mandating rigorous screening and testing for those traveling to and from Botswana, South Africa and Hong Kong. The same applies to other ‘at risk’ countries.
South Africa reported six cases of B.1.529, Botswana three and Hong Kong 1. The new version has raised public health complications, reads the circular issued by TK Anil Kumar, Principal Secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare. The government mandated that the contacts of these international travelers be tracked and tested. Swab samples of COVID-positive international travelers will be sent for genomic sequencing.
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