Delta is reason for continuing COVID outbreaks: Genome sequencing panel

Latest genome sequencing data shows Delta variant has also reduced vaccine effectiveness in blocking spread, but vaccination effective in reducing deaths

Continuing COVID-19 outbreaks across India are attributable to the Delta variant, a susceptible population and reduced vaccine effectiveness in blocking transmission, the INSACOG has said. It is a genome sequencing government consortium of laboratories. However, vaccination continues to be very effective in reducing severe disease and death, and public health measures to reduce transmission and inoculation remain critical, the INSACOG stressed in its latest bulletin on August 16.

Delta variant is the major VOC in India at this time. Continuing outbreaks across India are attributable to Delta, a susceptible population, reduced vaccine effectiveness in blocking transmission, and opportunities for transmission,” the INSACOG said.

Beneficiaries break the physical distancing norm while waiting for COVID vaccination, in Gurugram. Pic/PTI

“As of now, sequencing of vaccination breakthroughs in India is also showing a very high proportion of Delta variant. Investigations for any new variants are ongoing,” the INSACOG said. 

Of the 30,230 samples of Variants of Concern and Variants of Interest sequenced by the INSACOG, 20,324 were of Delta. In India, new cases of AY.1, AY.2, AY.3 (Delta Plus) are being seen in July samples from Maharashtra. However, at this time none of these sub-lineages has been found to have a growth advantage over the Delta parent lineage, it noted.

Elderly people leave after taking COVID-19 vaccine at a government hospital in South Dinajpur district of West Bengal on Friday. Pic/PTI

According to INSACOG (the Indian SARS-CoV2 Genomics Consortium), 61 samples of Delta Plus variant have been detected in the country so far. Daily coronavirus cases have seen a significant plunge since the second wave which peaked in May. On Friday, the Union health ministry confirmed 36,571 new cases and 540 deaths, which has remained consistently on the higher side. The active cases declined to 3,63,605, the lowest in 150 days.

30,230
No. of samples sequenced for variants across India so far

20,324
No. of samples found to be positive for Delta variant

J&J seeks nod for trials on adolescents

US pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson has moved an application before the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) in India, seeking permission to conduct clinical trials of its single-dose Janssen COVID-19 vaccine on adolescents (children of age group 12-17 years). Earlier in August, Johnson & Johnson’s was given emergency use approval in India for its single-dose vaccine.

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