Chandigarh: At the time of the Punjab see the Covid case increased manifold, the country failed to do what the genome sequencing despite its own laboratory.
This, when experts have emphasized the lean genome sequencing to detect the spread of the very contagious omicron variant, first detected in South Africa.
The Omicron variant Covid-19 has reached the transmission stage of the community in this country and has become dominant in many countries where new cases have risen rapidly.
However, in the case of Punjab, even though the case expenses increased exponentially during the ongoing wave of infection, the image of the distribution of omicron was but it was unclear.
The state recorded 1,14,332 cases during January 1-24, 4763 cases per day on average, while 372 people were infected with the virus died.
The country was last inspected 333 samples in December, from which Delta was detected in 252 samples (75.67%) while a total of 61 samples were found positive for the omicron variant of the attention.
The non-availability of test tools is said to be the main reason for sequencing positive sample genomes not carried out.
According to health officials, the delay in supply, even though recurring reminders, causing the current situation.
The official said that the department had placed orders to test the kit in the first week of December.
“We expect to receive a kit today and will be sent to the Laboratory in Patiala,” said the official.
The delay has been canceled by the profit of Punjab having its own all genome sequencing its laboratory.
Before establishing the laboratory on the Medical College government in Patiala, the state sent a positive sample to the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) in Delhi, which took more than a month to provide a new variant confirmation, inhibiting the action of detention.
Based on the symptoms shown by the patient, experts feel that Omicron may have replaced Delta as a common variant found in the state.
Before the delta triggered the second wave of feared infection, Alpha was the first variant that was found in the state.
Omicron has so far exhibited more than 30 mutations compared to Delta 18 and said more than four times more contagious than Delta.
Punjab-based public health experts Dr.
Amandeep Aggarwal stated that the genome sequencing was very important for Covid-19 response.
Dr.
Aggarwal said the genome data helps health authorities make rapid public health decisions and information.
“As a new variant that appears, the genome sequencing becomes very important,” he added.
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