Meerut (Uttar Pradesh) [India], December 1 (ANI): In the wake of new COVID-19 variant Omicron, the Meerut Health Department has started monitoring the people coming from foreign countries, an official said.

Akhilesh Mohan, Chief Medical Officer, Meerut said that a total of 209 people have come from abroad in the last 12 days.

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"The new COVID variant Omicron which had been first reported in South Africa has also reached other countries in the past few days. In the last 12 days, a total of 209 people have come from abroad. 10 people are from Meerut but they live in other cities. All the people have been tested against COVID-19," Mohan told ANI.

The Chief Medical Officer further informed that the reports of 13 people are yet to come and others have been tested negative.

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"Arrangements have been made in Subharti Medical College and LLRM Medical College for any COVID-19 positive international passenger. Further, the affected passengers will be monitored for seven days and we will continuously remain in touch with COVID-19 Command Centre," Mohan added.

The Omicron variant (B.1.1.529), a new variant of the COVID-19, was first reported in Botswana on November 11, 2021, and appeared on November 14 in South Africa. It has been declared a variant of concern by the World Health Organization (WHO). (ANI)

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