Delta variant: Genome sequencing of samples to start soon in B'luru

Bengaluru: The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) will start genome sequencing to ascertain if the new Delta variant is detected in the city.

“Samples of all those who have tested Covid-positive are being sent for genome sequencing to study the spread, if any, of Covid Delta variant in the city,” said BBMP Chief Commissioner Gaurav Gupta.

BBMP officials had been directed to keep a close watch on wards with higher positivity rate in the city.

Meanwhile, Dr Ashwath Narayan, Deputy Chief Minister for Karnataka and the head of the State Covid-19 task force was caught off guard when he was peppered with questions with regard to the Delta Plus variant and the number of cases detected for the variant in the state.

“Delta and Delta Plus, there’s not much difference. The line of treatment is the same. There shouldn’t be any anxiety. It is manageable. There’s not much difference. The mutations happen. And we should also be ready to face the third wave,” he said.

So far, cases of the Delta Plus variant have been reported in four states, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala and Karnataka.

While cases have been reported, enough samples have not yet been genome-sequenced to know how widespread the newly discovered Delta Plus variant is. About 200 sequences have been detected across the globe, of which 30 are in India.

The Union Health Ministry said last week that Delta Plus is not a “variant of concern” right now as it has not been conclusively proved that the strain poses “adverse consequences to humanity by increase in transmissibility and severity”.

Health experts, however, have warned that the Delta Plus or AY.01 variant, which is a mutated form of the Delta variant, may unleash a third wave in the coming months, as it could possibly circumvent the body’s immune system.