Mumbai: No Delta Plus cases in second phase of genome sequencing

The Covid-19 virus with the RNA molecule. Representation pic

The results of the second phase of genome sequencing on samples of Covid-19 patients were announced on Thursday. Of the 376 samples used, 304 samples were found to be infected by the Delta subtype Covid virus. None of the citizens whose samples were taken, were reported to have been infected by the Delta Plus variant. In the first phase of genome sequencing, 93 citizens were found to be infected by the variant and 27 of them were fully vaccinated.

Among the other specimens in the second phase, 2 samples were of the 19A subtype and 4 samples were from subtype 20A and the remaining 66 samples were of the common Covid virus. "It is noteworthy that in the samples of both the first and second phases, not a single sample of the sub-type Delta Plus, which is highly contagious, was found," said Additional Municipal Commissioner (Western Suburbs) Suresh Kakani. Details of the findings will be revealed later.

Samples of a total of 188 patients infected with Covid were examined in the first phase. Of these, 128 patients were found to be infected by the Delta subtype virus and other patients were found to be infected with the common Covid virus.

Analytical data of first phase

Analytical findings have recently come to light regarding the data in this first phase and according to this, out of 128 samples in Delta affected, 93 samples were from Mumbai patients. Out of these, 45 samples were from male patients and 48 samples were from female patients. Also, out of these 93, 54 or about 58 per cent needed to be admitted to hospital. The remaining 42 per cent, or 40 people, showed no symptoms and did not need to be hospitalized.

Further, out of these 93 patients, 47 patients were vaccinated. Of these, 20 had taken the first dose and 27 had taken both the doses. The remaining 46 patients were not vaccinated. Only 4 patients who received both doses of the vaccine needed oxygen supply.

"In view of the rapid spread of the Delta sub-type Covid virus, everyone needs to strictly adhere to the Covid-19 virus prevention guidelines. We have been consistently appealing to everyone to use proper masks, maintain safe distance between two or more people, wash hands regularly and properly with soap, and avoid crowds. All Mumbaikars should implement these measures strictly," said Kakani.

A total of 1,194 people in close contact with these 93 patients in Mumbai were tested. Of these, only 80 were found to have the Covid infection. The remaining 1,114 people were not infected with Covid.