The BMC said it has been focusing on genome sequencing as per the Centre's guidelines related to coronavirus, but no decision has been taken so far about screening air passengers at the international airport in the city
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Mumbai on Wednesday reported eight new cases of Covid-19, The fresh cases took the overall tally to 11,55,064. No fresh death linked to the infection was recorded, the civic body said, reported the PTI.
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The officials shifted focus on genome sequencing of samples in view of a surge in cases in some parts of the world, but no screening of international air passengers has started in Mumbai as yet, according to the PTI.
The coronavirus death toll in remained unchanged at 19,745.
On Tuesday, Mumbai had recorded seven cases and zero fatality.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said it has been focusing on genome sequencing as per the Centre's guidelines related to coronavirus, but no decision has been taken so far about screening air passengers at the international airport in the city, as per the PTI.
Sanjeev Kumar, additional municipal commissioner, told PTI they are focusing on genome sequencing of positive swab samples to keep track of any new Covid-19 variants after the Union government's guidelines.
Genomic sequencing is a laboratory test that can map out the whole genetic makeup of a virus from a patient's swab sample.
Also Read: Union Health minister reviews Covid situation, directs officials to be alert
However, no decision has been taken yet on screening international passengers at the Mumbai airport, he said.
The city is left with 37 active Covid-19 cases after seven patients recovered from the infection, pushing up their cumulative count to 11,35,282, said a BMC bulletin.
The case doubling rate has increased to 1,70,567 days, while the coronavirus recovery rate stood at 98.3 per cent, it said.
As many as 3,758 swab samples were tested on Wednesday, up from 1,837 the previous day, for detection of Covid-19 in the metropolis, taking their total tally to 1,86,10,564, said the bulletin.
The growth rate of coronavirus cases between December 14 and December 20 was 0.0004 per cent, it added.
(with PTI inputs)
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