Following the reports of the emergence of a new mutant novel coronavirus variant B.1.1.529 reported in South Africa, Hong Kong and Botswana which is triggering an alarm in India, Karnataka Government is taking all precautionary measures to ensure the third wave should not proliferate in the state, said Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar on November 28.

“We've started through airport screening and strong vigilance of those travelling from South Africa, Hong Kong, Botswana and other European countries, who have witnessed the new Covid variant. We've sent all the samples of travellers and colleges students who tested positive, to 3-4 genomic sequencing labs and are awaiting results for 5-6 days,” he added.