The deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka shared that a significant number of individuals were infected by ‘Delta B.1.617.2 variant). The Delta variant is also present along with the Kappa variant. The Delta Variant has been referred to as the variant of concern by the World Health Organization.
According to the WHO, this variant has a significantly high number of transmissibility and a growing number of countries are reporting outbreaks associated with this variant.
The Karnataka government has carried out genome sequencing of at least 5% of the total covid-19 positive cases. To oversee the process, an eight member committee has been formed.
The decision was made following sequencing of samples from 44 symptomatic individuals at HCG Strand Labs which found that 41 patients had been infected with the B.1.617.2 Variant. Dr.Vishal Rao, HCG Cancer Centre member of Covid task force said that the exercise was with the intention to look up at the pattern of the new strain. The institutions across the world are working on genomic epidemiological surveillance, a new generation of epidemiological approaches which looks at real-time tracking.
Dr. Rao shared that the genomic sequencing is the need of the hour which if done properly will help the authorities build much stronger health facilities. This can be beneficial by tracking and especially ICU surveillance to identify which is the aggressive strain that is leading to death.
He also stated that the authorities chose to adopt a wait and watch mode that led to chaos and explained why genomic sequencing should be the way forward.
He added that the strain was detected in December last year and the gap raised because we waited for the virus to dictate the terms of the clinical wrath that it created. If we were able to watch these patterns, a much more robust public health could be mounted by the health care, task forces and governments.
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