Mangaluru : The district administration is keeping a close watch on passengers arriving at Mangaluru International Airport for Covid-19 positive cases.

More than16,000 samples from international passengers arriving at MIA were tested between December 28, 2020 and March 13, and of these 362 tested positive. A breakup of the data shows that in January, 4,214 tests were conducted and 123 passengers tested positive. The number of positive cases increased to 157 (5,829 tests) in February and in the first 13 days in March 79 tested positive (5,422 tests).

The health department has deputed technical staff at the airport to monitor the situation. An agency from Bengaluru has set up a testing facility at the airport and is declaring test results within 24 hours, said Dr H Ashok, nodal officer for Covid-19, DK.
On Thursday, of a total of 72 positive cases reported in the district, 13 of those infected had international travel history.