The Health Ministry in a statement today stated that the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) through its genome sequencing showed a new “double mutant variant” of the Coronavirus along with several variants of concern (VOCs), including foreign variants, are spreading in India.
The INSACOG is a collection of 10 National laboratories designated by the Health Ministry in order to carry out genomic sequencing and analysis of circulating COVID-19 viruses and correlate epidemiological trends with genomic variants.
#Unite2FightCorona
— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) March 24, 2021
Genome Sequencing by INSACOG shows variants of concern and a Novel variant in India.https://t.co/hs3yAErWJR pic.twitter.com/STHjcMnkMh
“Since INSACOG initiated its work, 771 variants of concerns (VOCs) have been detected in a total of 10787 positive samples shared by states/UTs. These include 736 samples positive for viruses of the UK (B.1.1.7) lineage. 34 samples were found positive for viruses of the South African (B.1.351) lineage. 1 sample was found positive for viruses of the Brazilian (P.1) lineage. The samples with these VOCs have been identified in 18 States of the country.” the Health Ministry said.
The INSACOG laboratories were responsible for the genome sequencing and analysis from the samples of arriving international travellers, contacts of those positive for VOC and community samples from most of the states.
“The analysis of samples from Maharashtra has revealed that compared to December 2020, there has been an increase in the fraction of samples with the E484Q and L452R mutations. Such mutations confer immune escape and increased infectivity. These mutations have been found in about 15-20% of samples and do not match any previously catalogued VOCs. These have been categorized as VOCs but require the same epidemiological and public health response of “increased testing, comprehensive tracking of close contacts, prompt isolation of positive cases & contacts as well as treatment as per National Treatment Protocol” by the states/UTs,” the Health Ministry added.
The Health Ministry shed more light on additional VOCs, “From Kerala 2032 samples (from all 14 districts) have been sequenced. The N440K variant that is associated with immune escape has been found in 123 samples from 11 districts. This variant was earlier found in 33% of samples from Andhra Pradesh, and in 53 of 104 samples from Telangana. This variant has also been reported from 16 other countries including UK, Denmark, Singapore, Japan and Australia. As of now these can be at best said to be variant under investigation.”
In its press release, the Health Ministry made clarified, “Though VOCs and a new double mutant variant have been found in India, these have not been detected in numbers sufficient to either establish a direct relationship or explain the rapid increase in cases in some states. Genomic sequencing and epidemiological studies are continuing to further analyze the situation.”
