THE new COVID variant BF 7 found in China which has of-late traumatised the world was detected among two women with travel history in Chhattisgarh.

Though the detection created panic, the infected women are now recovered and healthy. Fortunately, no trace of spreading the new variant among the family members or any others was found. Director Pandemic Control Dr Subhash Mishra confirmed the detection of two BF 7.2.1 variant in State. Both the infected women have a travel history with one of them returning from UK while the other reached Raipur from Hyderabad.

The contact tracing was also done and no symptoms of Omicron were detected among their family members.

Meanwhile, the two women with Omicron infection have already recovered after home isolation, he added.

Dr Subhash Mishra said that there was panic over the issue and the Health Department is also worried about any spread. It is very important to be alert and maintain the protocol guidelines issued by the state medical department to avoid any spread of the variant. The State Control and Command Centre for COVID-19 of Health and Family Welfare Department in its daily report stated that no fresh COVID cases were detected across State on Thursday. Out of the total 1566 testing, not a single positive case was reported. Presently, the state has seven active cases with the highest three cases in Raipur followed by one each at Durg, Balod, Dhamtari and Kanker districts. If the overall datas are taken into account, total of 11,77,759 positive cases were detected and 11,63,606 patients have recovered so far in State. Out of the total cases as per the government data, 14,146 persons infected with COVID lost their lives. The government has issued guidelines to wear masks and to follow the social distancing, but even after the guideline was issued no preventive action was visible in the markets or at places where people gather. The positive news is that in 23 districts in State there are no reports of any COVID infection. The government has also advised people to take the preventive dose and also to administer the COVID vaccine for those who have not taken the vaccine so far.