‘65% samples test positive for Delta variant in Maha
MUMBAI: In the first cycle of genome sequencing, Kasturba Gandhi Hospital tested 188 samples of which 128 tested positive for the Delta variant. This is the first time that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) got genome sequencing report within a week.
The Delta variant, also known as B.1.617.2 of Sarscov-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, was first detected in India in late 2020. This variant, which continues to be the dominant variant across the globe, has now spread to 80 countries.
Genome sequencing is an exercise to study the changes in the structure of virus over time. A combination of changes in the ribonucleic acid of the virus can give birth to a new variant.
The hospital requires to undertake further tests to identify Delta Plus variants.
“In the first cycle, 65% of the samples tested positive for the Delta variant. Two samples have been identified with Alpha variant and 24 with Kappa,” said Suresh Kakani, additional commissioner, BMC.
When asked if any sample tested positive for Delta Plus, Dr Jayanti Shastri, in-charge of the molecular diagnostic reference laboratory of the hospital, said, “We need further tests for that.”
Delta Plus (AY.1) is a mutation of the highly transmissible Delta variant and was detected in the state during the second wave. In June, the Union health ministry declared it as the variant of concern.
The 188 samples which were tested were collected from international passengers, Covid-19 hot spots, places with high transmission rate among others.
On August 4, the hospital inaugurated the machines for genome sequencing, making it the first civic-run hospital to conduct the tests in the state. After over two weeks of installation process, the hospital started the procedure of genome sequencing on August 17. The results of the first cycle were declared on Monday.
“We started the first stage on August 17 and boarded the samples for sequencing on August 20. The reports of the analysis came on Monday,” she said.
Whole genome sequencing tests comprise three phases— library presentation which in simple form is called pre-sequencing preparation, which takes two-three days.
The researchers sequence the samples in the machine that generally takes 4-5 hours. In the third stage, they analyse the results to understand the variations.
Since genome sequencing is not a diagnostic tool, suspected Covid-19 patients will have to undergo compulsory RT-PCR for the diagnosis.
“Unlike RT-PCR which is a target-based testing, sequencing helps to identify unknown pathogens that will help us to understand the genetic coding of the viruses,” she said. feeling of enmity or hatred or ill will), have been filed against Rane for the comments.
A sessions court in Ratnagiri earlier refused to hear Rane’s anticipatory bail plea.
A high court bench of justices SS Shinde and NJ Jamadar directed Rane’s lawyer, Aniket Nikam, to follow due procedure before approaching it. A separate application has also been filed for quashing the three cases registered against Rane in Nashik, Pune and Mahad.
Nikam approached the court after its lunch break concluded at 2.30 pm and mentioned the two applications seeking anticipatory bail and quashing of the cases. The court asked Nikam to follow the procedure under the law by filing a praecipe to get the matter listed for hearing. Nikam also sought protection from coercive action including arrest pending hearing of the plea.
Nikam said for arrest for any offence which involves punishment of under seven years, police have to issue a notice. He added this has not been issued in Rane’s case and hence the order for his arrest is illegal.
Pandey said they were following the rule book and the arrest order was issued as per the legal provisions.
“We have followed legal provisions and will ensure that privileges of the parliamentarian are protected. Since, the Union minister is member of Rajya Sabha, we are bound to intimate chairman of the Upper House in due course after the arrest.”
Hours before his arrest, Rane, who has been a bitter critic of Thackeray since he was expelled from Shiv Sena in 2005, maintained he has not violated any law. “I said had I been there, I would have slapped him for his ignorance of the year of Independence. I did not say that I would slap him. I know the legal provisions. I have not received any legal notice for the arrest and would not speak on the basis of media report. In fact, I will take action against media for false reports,” he said.
Rane questioned why action was not taken against Thackeray for his similar statements. He did not elaborate.
Rane’s son, Nitesh, threatened a “befitting reply” if any action was taken against his father.
Maharashtra’s BJP chief, Chandrakant Patil, said they would not justify Rane’s remarks and added that the Union minister’s style is similar to the Thackerays and other Shiv Sena leaders. He added arrest cannot be the response to his comments. Patil said Union ministers, president, vice president and prime minister have protection from arrest. “The state authorities which have been given the arrest orders should be aware of it. We do not justify the statement by Rane. He should have been given warning for his statement.”
Former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis criticised Pandey for issuing the arrest order while accusing the government of “misusing” the police force. “This would have been a noncognisable offence. However, Nashik CP (Pandey) thinks he is above everyone. The way he has given directions of Rane’s arrest suggest his actions are motivated.”
Rane on Monday claimed Thackeray checked the year with his aides midway during the speech and called it shameful the chief minister “does not know” the year of independence. “He leaned back to inquire...during his speech. Had I been there, I would have given him a tight slap,” Rane told reporters in Raigad.
The Shiv Sena on Monday hit out at Rane for his comments saying he has lost his mental balance. “Rane was inducted in the (Union) Cabinet just to attack the Shiv Sena, and while doing his job, he stooped to a new low,” said Shiv Sena Member of Parliament Vinayak Raut. Raut has written to Modi seeking Rane’s removal from his Cabinet.
“The Jan Ashirwad Yatra was meant to take the blessing of the people and it was a brainchild of Prime Minister. Rane has given a wrong turn to it. He has used derogatory and objectionable language against Thackery who holds a constitutional post. I have requested the removal of Rane from his Cabinet to uphold the sanctity of constitutional structure.”
Shiv Sena parted ways with its three-decade old ally, BJP, and formed the government in Maharashtra with Nationalist Congress Party and Congress in November 2019.