Germany quarantines residents of high-rise buildings after Indian variant found

‘There are currently several infections with the Indian virus variant’

Doctor Christine Hidas (L), head of the emergency department, embraces a colleague during a busy shift as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, at a clinic in Darmstadt, Germany (REUTERS)

Health officials have quarantined the residents of two high-rise buildings in a German town after several people tested positive for a coronavirus variant first detected in India.

Officials from the county of Mettmann said “there are currently several infections with the Indian virus variant” in the western town of Velbert.

They said several families who were in close touch with each other were affected and that everyone was being tested.

Local broadcaster WDR reported that about 200 people in the two buildings were affected.

They have been quarantined, are getting tested and the Red Cross is providing food and other help.

So far, the Covid-19 variant that was first detected in India has not been found a lot in Germany, but is said to be more contagious than other variants currently more prevalent in the country.

AP