NEW DELHI: The new strain of coronavirus has been found in India with samples of six UK returnees testing positive for the Britain variant -- three samples in Bengaluru's NIMHANS, two in Hyderabad's CCMB and one in Pune's NIV.

The new lead that the mutated variant of the virus has reached India was discovered following the tests conducted at Virology Institute in Pune. Many who returned from the UK were tested positive for Covid 19. Tests are also being conducted on them to know whether they also have the mutated variant of the virus. Meanwhile, the union health ministry has informed that the training to give Covid 19 vaccine for health professionals has been completed.

Maintaining the Covid-19 restrictions on various activities, the Centre said that there is a need for surveillance, containment and caution due to a surge globally and the emergence of a new variant of the virus in the UK. In a statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said it has issued fresh guidelines for surveillance with regard to Covid-19 that will remain in force till January 31, as it asked the states and union territories to keep a strict vigil to prevent any rise in cases during the New Year celebrations and the winter season.

Kerala government has also issued alert messages. 18 persons who returned from Britain have been tested positive for Covid 19. Government has started testing them for the new variant of the virus.