Bengaluru: The genome sequencing report is the key to identifying the omicron variant.
But because of several factors, sequencing takes a minimum of 5-8 days and the delay in the results is to leave everyone, including patients and hospitals, on the edge.
This situation was discussed at a recent meeting with the Main Minister of Bukavara Bommai because most people infected with Covid recovered at the time of the genomical sequencing out.
Stoi saw why the process was slow.
Sequencers need more than 300 samples to start the process, but only below 100 are sent in a day.
Therefore, sequencing is done once in three days.
According to Virology Dr.
V Ravi, State Nodal Officer and chairman, the committee for the sequencing of the entire Covid-19 genome, someone needs to understand that sequencing is not like a RT-PCR test and not all positive covid samples are suitable for it.
He just said the covid-positive swab sample with the value of the Cycle Threshold (CT) below 25 qualified for the genome sequencing, because the viral load would be more on them with a low CT value.
Values indicate the number of cycles in the RT-PCR test needed to strengthen the viral RNA to reach the level that can be detected.
At present, with less than 400 cases a day, only about 10-12 samples will have a CT value of less than 25, he said.
Dr.
Ravi said the chip used in the process requires 100 samples or more than 300 at a time to sort it.
“Chip costs are Rs 2,5 lakh.
The cost remains the same as 10 samples or more than 300.
The situation here is not like England, where 80,000 people turn positive every day,” he said.
Agree with Dr.
Ravi, another member of the Technical Advisory Committee said genomic sequencing like running an airplane.
“For a plane with a capacity carrying 300 passengers, the cost remains the same regardless of whether it has 10 or 300 on the ship.
If there isn’t enough sample, we have to wait for them to accumulate.
The government will only change the cost of the sample and not to run the whole process With fewer samples, “TAC members explained.
The purpose of sequencing was to detect a new variant, which was carried out by two laboratories in Karnataka, said Dr.
Ravi.
“On November 26, Omicron was declared a concerned variant.
On November 30, Karnataka was the first to detect Omicron (although then announced on December 3 after verification),” he added.
Stating that the state laboratory was at the forefront of detecting the previous Alfa and Delta variants, Dr.
Ravi said the intensive method of resources such as sequencing should not be used for each sample.
Dr.
Ravi said that regardless of the variant, maintenance remained the same for Covid patients, but that the Omicron case needed to be hospitalized and could be issued only after they tested negatively to prevent the spread of the community.
Mayor Prof.
Satyajit, Director, National Biological Center, said sequencing is not a trivial matter.
“We have to wait until we have 300 samples.
It takes a week to issue the results and we do our best,” he said.
Sequencing genomes while stopped at least for a week in Nimhans due to a shortage of global kits.
Dr.
Ravi said the lab lab had bought them now.
According to the Department of Health and Family Welfare, there is no delay in the sequence of the genome.
“The report is available within 5-8 days,” said Randeep D, Commissioner Department.
Experts explain why genomic sequencing takes time
