2 Omicron cases: One is South African, second a local with no travel history: BBMP
Five contacts of Omicron infected person test positive
Bengaluru, Dec 2: Out of two cases of the new Omicron variant of coronavirus that have been detected in the city, one is a South African national who has left the country after testing negative, while the other is a local with no travel history, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) said on Thursday.
The city civic body said five contacts of the local person have also tested positive and their samples have been sent for genomic sequencing.
According to officials, both the persons who have tested positive for Omicron were vaccinated with two doses of COVID vaccine.
"Please note that second person has no travel history, so there may be chances of more people having the infection. There is need to be vigilant about the this new variant," BBMP Chief Commissioner Gaurav Gupta said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said the administration is in constant consultation with experts regarding measures to control the spread of this virus, and "I only say precautionary measures have to be borne in mind, they are same for any variant."
"Naturally after these cases have come across there is need to take more measures, which will be decided by the government after considering all aspects and consulting experts," he added.
Sharing details of the Omicron variant cases, Gupta said, the first is a 66-year-old male, who is a South African national.
"He had come come here (Bengaluru) on November 20, his samples were collected at the airport and subsequently he tested positive. His samples were sent for genome sequencing the reports of which have come today confirming he was infected by Omicron," he said.
Further noting that the person was isolated in a hotel, and was subsequently tested separately at another laboratory, during which his reports came negative, the Commissioner said, he left the country for Dubai on November 27, as per his pre-decided schedule.
All his 24 primary contacts and 240 secondary contacts have tested negative, he said, adding that "but they are still kept under watch."
Regarding the second person, a 46-year-old male, Gupta said, his samples were collected on November 22, following which he tested positive.
As his sample had low cycle threshold (Ct) value it was sent to NCBS lab, and the report has come today as positive, he said. "He was initially kept under home isolation and was subsequently shifted to hospital. He is a local person without any travel history. He is stable and is recovering there are no concerns, he is under watch."
The second case, who is said to be a Doctor, had got RT-PCR test done after he developed body ache and other symptoms.
His 13 primary contacts and 205 secondary contacts have been tested, Gupta said. "Three primary and two secondary contacts have tested positive, they have been kept under isolations and samples have been sent for sequencing."
Not willing to divulge details about the second case, in response to a question, he said, "We cannot say he is hospital staff, he is from Bengaluru."
The commissioner also said that that samples of all international travellers who have tested positive, and positive cases with low Ct value are being sent for genome sequencing and are obtaining their results within about a week's time.
City's Bowring Hospital has been identified for treating Omicron cases, he said. "Very less is known about this virus, according to South African doctors it is easily transmissible, but may be milder."
ಬಿಬಿಎಂಪಿ ವ್ಯಾಪ್ತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಇಬ್ಬರು ಕೋವಿಡ್ ಪಾಸಿಟಿವ್ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಓಮೈಕ್ರಾನ್ ವೈರಾಣು ಪತ್ತೆಯಾಗಿದ್ದು, ಪಾಲಿಕೆ ವತಿಯಿಂದ ಅಗತ್ಯ ಮುನ್ನೆಚ್ಚರಿಕಾ ಕ್ರಮಗಳನ್ನು ಕೈಗೊಳ್ಳಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಯಾರೊಬ್ಬರೂ ಭಯಪಡುವ ಅಗತ್ಯವಿಲ್ಲ. ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ಕೋವಿಡ್ ನಿಯಮಗಳನ್ನು(CAB) ಅನ್ನು ಪಾಲಿಸಲು ಕೋರುತ್ತೇನೆ.
— Gaurav Gupta (@BBMPCOMM) December 2, 2021
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Messi scores, but Inter Miami only gets 2-2 tie with Austin FC in opener of new stadium
Miami (AP): Lionel Messi scored on the long-awaited opening night in his new home stadium. And Luis Suarez found a way to tie things up late in the second half.
It was good enough to salvage a point for Inter Miami.
Messi scored on a header in the 10th minute, Suarez hammered home a volley in the 82nd minute and Inter Miami escaped with a 2-2 tie against Austin FC in the defending MLS champions' first match at their still-under-construction stadium near Miami International Airport on Saturday night.
Inter Miami (3-1-2) is now unbeaten in its last five MLS matches, and Austin (1-2-3) is now winless in its last four contests.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber was at the match, lauding the work that David Beckham — who picked Miami 13 years ago — did to get to this day. Inter Miami is in its seventh MLS season, its third with Messi, but has played home matches in Fort Lauderdale until now.
Garber touted the stadium opening as the latest sign of growth for MLS.
“I think our best days are still ahead," Garber said. "David shined a light on our league, and Leo's taking that torch, and he's showing it around. And we're getting calls from players around the world.”
The Herons never led; Austin took a 1-0 lead on Guilherme Biro's goal — the first ever at Nu Stadium — in the sixth minute, and the visitors went up 2-1 when speedy reserve Jayden Nelson scored in the 53rd minute.
Messi and Suarez both got tying goals, and Inter Miami missed some chances for a potential winner in the final minutes. Maybe the best of the lot: Mateo Silvetti's chance in the 87th minute, when he accepted a cross from the right wing and tried to one-time the ball but sent it sailing high.
“We already know what Leo is capable of and the trouble he causes for the opposition, and even without the ball as well,” Inter Miami defender Maxi Falcon told Apple TV after the match. “And Luis, too — whenever he's inside the box, he's lethal, and he proved that once again.”
Suarez thought he scored in the 90th minute after a free kick from Messi, but the play was called offside. And Messi had a chance about three minutes later from inside the box, but Brad Stuver got low for a save diving to his left to keep the game knotted at 2-2.
Stuver said it was a great result, especially given the circumstances — against the MLS champs, who were opening their new stadium.
“We got to be the villains,” Stuver said.
Austin led much of the second half, after Nelson came on at intermission and gave his club a spark.
Nelson — who played for Vancouver against Inter Miami in last season's MLS Cup final — got behind the defense, avoided going offside and took a pass from Myrto Uzuni in the middle of the field about 30 yards from the goal.
He sent a low shot that got past charging Inter Miami goalie Dayne St. Clair and kissed off the inside of the left goalpost before settling into the net.
