Omicron Patient "Escaped", Karnataka Tracking 10 Missing Passengers

Karnataka Health Minister K Sudhakar said priority has been given to tracing passengers from Africa who vanished without tests at the airport.

One of the two persons found positive for Omicron in Karnataka "escaped" after taking a Covid negative certificate from a private lab, the state government said today. The state is also trying to track down 10 people who reportedly went missing from the airport.

"By tonight all 10 people who have reportedly gone missing should be traced and they should be tested. Travelers will not be allowed to leave the airport until their report is out," Karnataka Revenue Minister R Ashok said after a top level meeting on Omicron.

A 66-year-old South African national found to be Omicron-infected "fled", the minister said.

The man had arrived on November 20 from South Africa and left for Dubai seven days later.