As many as 18 cases belonging to the Delta variant of COVID-19 have been detected in Manipur.
This was confirmed by Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Friday.
CM Biren Singh informed that these 18 cases of COVID-19 Delta variant were confirmed after necessary testing at a laboratory in Hyderabad.
He said that 20 samples were sent for testing to Hyderabad, of with 18 were confirmed to be Delta variant of COVID-19.
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While terming the development alarming, CM Biren Singh has said that more samples are under examination now.
The Manipur Chief Minister said: “Confirmed cases of Delta variant of Covid-19 found in Manipur. During an examination of 20 samples from Manipur in a lab in Hyderabad, 18 were found to be of Delta variant. More samples are being examined now.”
Appealing people of the State to “follow SoP laid down by the Government”, CM Biren Singh informed that home isolation patients would be provided additional medicines needed to treat the Delta variant.
Meanwhile, a Manipur Government statement said: “As it (Delta variant) can spread at a much higher rate than the alpha variant, it is advised that a mask should be worn at home at all times and strict COVID appropriate behaviours should be followed if someone in the family is COVID-19 positive.”
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Manipur, on Friday, logged 603 new COVID-19 cases, taking the State’s active cases tally up to 9246.
On the other hand, the State also registered 12 more deaths related to COVID-19.
The overall COVID-19 death tally in Manipur now stands at 1033.
Meanwhile, the recovery rate of Manipur stands at 83.67%.