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Amid Rising COVID Cases, Top Scientist Calls For Ramping Up Genome Sequencing

The surge in COVID-19 cases may be because of a new variant, and therefore, unless genome sequencing is done, “we will not know”, said Dr Rakesh Mishra, Director of Tata Institute of Genetics and Society (TIGS)

Amid Rising COVID Cases, Top Scientist Calls For Ramping Up Genome Sequencing
Dr Rakesh Mishra, Director of Tata Institute of Genetics and Society (TIGS) said that the chances of a fourth COVID wave are less, but we should take precautions
Highlights
  • India reported a rise in COVID-19 cases on Monday (June 6)
  • We should never slow on genome sequencing: Dr Rakesh Mishra, Director, TIGS
  • "Sample of every patient reporting symptoms of COVID should be sequenced"

New Delhi: As India reported its biggest jump in three months on Monday – an increase of 1,730 active COVID cases in a span of 24 hours – the Director of Tata Institute of Genetics and Society (TIGS) Dr Rakesh Mishra called for increasing genome sequencing, despite the “severity of the disease being extremely low”. In an exclusive interview with ANI, Dr Mishra said, “Omicron and its sub-lineages can reinfect any vaccinated person and/or the ones who have had a natural infection and so on. The severity of the disease is extremely low and most people are going to be asymptomatic or have very mild symptoms. But if people fall sick, that should be taken very seriously. It may be problematic because maybe, a new variant is coming.”

Also Read: What Is Genome Sequencing And How Is It Helping Fight The COVID-19 Pandemic?

He also said there is a small chance that the new cases may be because of a stronger COVID variant.

Reiterating the need to strengthen genome sequencing, Dr Mishra said,

We should never slow on genome sequencing. I think we have to keep in mind the sampling strategy, and how we are sequencing because that is a very important tool.

He further said that the surge in the cases may be because of a new variant, and therefore, unless genome sequencing is done, “we will not know”. “Every person who comes to hospital and reports COVID or has symptoms must be sequenced,” he added.

Dr Mishra also said that the chances of a fourth wave are less, but we should take precautions.

People have started taking more liberty and more interactions, no masks, and so on. This gives a chance to the virus, he said.

The scientist added that as long as there is no emergency,

We should not worry so much about it.

Also Read: Previous COVID-19 Infection Does Not Protect Kids From Omicron: Study

India has witnessed a surge in COVID-19 cases on Monday as the country logged 4,518 fresh infections in the last 24 hours, informed the Union Health Ministry.

The country had reported 4,270 COVID infections yesterday. With this, India’s daily tally of COVID-19 cases crossed the 4,000-mark for the second consecutive day.

As the infections surge, the active COVID caseload in the country stands at 25,782, constituting of 0.06 per cent of India’s total positive cases.

The daily positivity rate of 1.62 per cent was observed in the last 24 hours, while the weekly positivity rate was recorded to be 0.91 per cent, the health ministry informed today.

Also Read: COVID-19: INSACOG Confirms Presence Of BA.4, BA.5 Omicron Sub-Variants In India

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via the Banega Swachh India initiative, which is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – the LGBTQ populationindigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (WaterSanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fight malnutrition, mental wellbeing, self care, science and health, adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, which is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollutionwaste managementplastic banmanual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.

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