All 480 samples test positive for Delta variant at IBSD lab
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 02 2021: The Delta variant of coronavirus has been detected in 100 per cent of the 480 samples sent for genome sequencing at SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) facility at the Institute of Bioresources and Sustaina-ble Development (IBSD), Manipur till date.

As per a statement of IBSD, Manipur, the facility has so far received 480 Covid samples for genome sequencing and all were infected by Delta variant.

The Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) facility at IBSD, Imphal was inaugurated by Chief Minister N Biren Singh on July 10, 2021.The Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) is a multi-laboratory, multi-agency, Pan-India network to monitor genomic variations in SARS-CoV-2 by sentinel sequencing effort.

Through this INSACOG network, any changes to the genetic code, or mutations of the virus are being observed and information provided to aid public health response to identify the new variants evolving from mutation.

Saying that IBSD under the leadership of its Director Prof Pulok K Mukherjee, Scientists Dr Nanocha Sharma, Dr S Indira Devi, Dr Pradeep Bhardwaj, Dr Sunil Thorat and other researchers has been working hard to sequence the COVID-19 samples with support from the Department of Biotechnology, it added IBSD Imphal has successfully completed genome sequencing of 480 COVID-19 samples till date.

The statement maintained that the surveillance will continue for rapid tracking of the evolution of SARS CoV2 in the North East region with IBSD Imphal being a sentinel hub under INSACOG.

Samples from Nagaland have also been tested by the sentinel sequencing facility of IBSD, Imphal, it added.

Comment