Greater than 100 individuals who have been on a flight to India from Italy have reportedly examined constructive for COVID-19.

A complete of 125 vacationers who arrived in Amritsar, a metropolis within the northern Indian state of Punjab, on a flight from Milan examined constructive on the airport, in line with native media retailers.

There have been 179 passengers on the chartered flight, operated by Portuguese firm EuroAtlantic Airways, which landed in Amritsar at round 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, the Occasions of India reported.

Based on the Occasions report, 160 grownup passengers have been examined on arrival at Amritsar. The remaining 19 youngsters and infants on the flight have been exempt from screening.

Passengers wait to undergo COVID testing
Passengers arriving from Italy wait to endure COVID screening at Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee Worldwide Airport on the outskirts of Amritsar on January 6. Narinder Nanu/AFP by way of Getty Pictures

Final month, India labeled a number of international locations as "in danger" in response to the speedy unfold of the Omicron variant. Vacationers from these international locations, which embrace Italy, are being examined once they arrive in India.

Photos shared by native media confirmed ambulances lined up exterior the airport to move the contaminated passengers.

Air India was compelled to situation an announcement on social media after preliminary stories advised that the affected flight was one operated by the nationwide service.

"A number of Media homes has reported that Passengers of Air India flight from Rome to Amritsar have been examined covid constructive. That is flawed and baseless. Air India does not function any flight from Rome presently," Air India wrote on Twitter.

India, one of many nations hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic, has to date recorded greater than 35 million COVID-19 infections and no less than 482,000 deaths, in line with Johns Hopkins College.

Near 618 million individuals in India—44 % of its inhabitants—have been totally vaccinated, in line with Our World in Knowledge.

The nation is bracing for a 3rd wave of coronavirus, simply months after the Delta variant overwhelmed its hospitals.

The extremely contagious Omicron variant is fueling a spike in infections, largely concentrated in massive cities.

India reported greater than 58,000 instances on Wednesday, with almost a 3rd in Delhi and Mumbai. Each cities have introduced again curfews and different restrictions to curb the unfold of the virus.

However authorities have stated hospitalizations haven't risen whilst infections spike. "There is no such thing as a must panic," Arvind Kejriwal, the chief minister of Delhi, stated on Sunday.

Later within the week, Kejriwal confirmed on Twitter that he had examined constructive for COVID-19 himself.

"I've examined constructive for Covid. Gentle signs. Have remoted myself at residence. Those that got here in contact wid me in previous few days, kindly isolate urself and get urself examined," he wrote.