Two dozen passengers who had planned to fly to the United Arab Emirates tested at Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) during the RPT-PCR test of six hours before departure between August 18 and September 22.
They were transferred to the isolation ward.
In addition to negative RT-PCR test reports that are no more than 48 hours, the Gulf state has also made a test at the airport six hours before the departure is compulsory.
Data showed 8,261 passengers tested in Mia between August 18 to September 22 and those who tested positives consisted of less than 0.3%.
All 24 passengers have a negative Covid certificate with them.
Dr Ashok H, Covid-19 Nodal Officer, Dakshina Kannada, said the passengers came from Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Kasaragod and Palackad in Kerala besides Dakshina Kannada.
Four of Kerala was tested positively, while Dakshina Kannada (13 passengers) was the most.
Explain why some positive tests at the airport, Dr.
Ashok said the fast RT-PCR test was a much more accurate test.
“Normal RT-PCR test detects the existence of a viral depending on viral load and when the Swab sample is collected,” he said.
“RT-PCR tests may not detect viruses in asymptomatic people, but the fast version.
Fast test costs three to four times more than the test and RT-PCR results are usually obtained in 15 minutes.”