UK strain driving Covid surge in Delhi, reveals data
Approximately 11% of samples from across India contain "variants of concern"
An analysis of samples has revealed that the UK strain is behind the recent surge of Covid cases in Delhi.
The National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) reports that over 400 cases of the UK strain and 76 cases of the Indian double mutant have been discovered in Delhi, reports NDTV.
Approximately 11% of samples from across India contain "variants of concern."
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In India, there have been 1,644 cases of the UK strain, 112 cases of the South African strain, one case of the Brazilian strain, and 732 cases of the double mutant.
According to the NCDC, one of the ten laboratories involved in the virus's genome sequencing, cases of the UK strain nearly doubled to 50% in samples from Delhi in March.
"The UK strain is directly related to the Delhi outbreak," said Sujeet Kumar Singh, director of the NCDC, during a webinar on "Genome Sequencing of SARS-CoV-19."
"In Delhi we have a different type of scenario. The UK variant and B 1617 (double mutation) are present. The scenario is still unfolding. But we've seen a rise from 28 per cent of UK variant on March 2 and it has risen to 50 per cent in the last week of March. If we co-relate with the surge, I think it directly co-relates with the type of variant we're observing," Mr Singh explained.
The link between variants and the current spike in Covid cases was established by genome sequencing of some 15,135 samples. Variants were detected in 1,735 cases - around 11.5 per cent.
Sixty-four cases of the UK strain were found in Maharashtra, six cases of the South African strain, one of the Brazilian strain and 427 cases of the Indian double mutant variant. Over 1,770 samples were sequenced for variants in Maharashtra.
In Delhi, 23 cases of the South African strain were also found. 3,208 samples were sequenced for variants in Delhi.
Punjab had 551 cases of the UK strain, two cases of the South African variant and one case of the double mutant.
In Telangana, 170 cases of the UK strain were found, 57 cases of South African strain and three cases of double mutant.
Bengal had 40 cases of the UK strain, nine cases of the South African strain and 124 cases of the Indian double mutant.
Punjab recorded the highest proportion of variants -- 73.5 per cent -- followed by UP (60%) and Telangana (41%).
Today, India reported 3.32 lakh Covid cases and 2,263 deaths in 24 hours, a new record of coronavirus infections in the country.
