Gurugram: The Ministry of Health has decided to increase the genome sequencing.
Now it will carry out the genome sequencing of all Covid-19 patients who contracted infection from their family members.
The department has decided to step in taking a genome sample after worries about the new Covid Omicron variant, a official said.
This step occurs when the maximum number of new cases in Gurugram is a family member of the Covid patient.
So far, the Ministry of Health has taken samples from 5% of Covid patients randomly for genome sequencing, as well as samples of all people with the history of travel recently to the countries ‘at risk’ that tests the virus positive.
There is a need to increase the sequencing of the genome in positive testing after being infected by family members, especially if there is an international travel history or a group of new cases, the department said.
“We have written to all private laboratories and hospitals to immediately notify us if they find cases of family members testing covid-positive at the same time.
We have decided to do a genome sequencing from this family cluster and to check which variants are Infecting them, “said the medical head of the Gurugram head Yadav Yadav.
So far, no ‘risky’ has been positively tested on Gurugram.
If the genome sequencing shows the existence of a new variant, the patient will be shifted to an isolated unit for treatment.
The department has also directed all private hospitals and laboratories to share a list of people who test positive every day.
They have also been told to maintain 1ml each sample so that it can be sent immediately for the genome sequencing if needed.
Sequencing genomes are a method where the nucleotide sequence of viral DNA can be determined.
This helps detect its variant.
“It helps in understanding how genes work together to direct growth, development, and maintenance of an organism.
More sequencing genomes will not only help understand the virus, but also help analyze the immune response of the human body against the virus,” said a senior health official.
Gurugram currently has 300 fast response teams (RRT), which carry out covid patient contacts.
From them, 180 were in the urban area of ​​Gurugram and 120 in rural areas.
Each team has two members – auxiliary nurse midwives and accredited social health activists.