365 samples, including 90 from city, sent for genome sequencing

MUMBAI: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) sent 90 swab samples of Covid-19 patients to the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, for genome sequencing on Tuesday.

Additionally, three districts — Amravati, Yavatmal and Akola — which have the highest positivity rates in the state, sent 275 samples to the institute on Friday. While Amravati and Yavatmal sent 100 swab samples each, Akola sent 75 samples.

Genome sequencing is a technique that involves analysing the genetic code of an organism and is done with the help of powerful computers.

The samples were sent after preliminary examination revealed that four samples from Amravati showed a mutation (E484Q), while another four from Yavatmal showed a second mutation (N440K) of Sars-CoV-2 — the virus that causes Covid-19. To ascertain the virological characteristics of the two mutated strains, the four districts have sent the samples to NIV.

At a time when the state’s overall positivity rate stands at 13.4%, Amravati, Yavatmal and Akola have recorded a positivity rate of around 50%, 47% and 25%, respectively. To look into the epidemiology of the virus among the newly infected patients, a few samples were also sent to BJ Medical College, Pune, for genome sequencing.

In Mumbai, the number of new Covid-19 cases doubled in the past 10 days. “Though our positivity rate is still under 5% unlike many other districts, we didn’t want to take any chance. So we sent 90 samples for genome sequencing, and expect a report within 12 days,” said Suresh Kakani, additional commissioner, BMC.

In addition to having the highest positivity rate, Akola, Amravati and Yavatmal are also reporting a large number of people from the same families contracting the infection.

“We have found a mutation in the virus, but we need to understand its epidemiological nature to gauge its implication in spreading the infection among the public,” said Dr Dilip Ranmale, district health officer (DHO), Amravati. “People across the state have put their guard down and are not maintaining safety norms. But then, how have the positivity rates of only these districts gone up at such a whopping rate? We believe that one of the reasons behind this is the new mutated virus which, just like the UK variant, is transmitting faster,” he added.

The swab samples are being sent in three categories — mildly, severely symptomatic and asymptomatic. “We have sent 25 samples in each of three categories for analysis,” said Dr Suresh Asole, DHO, Akola.

Doctors said if NIV finds anything alarming about the mutated variants, the state should seal the boundaries of the districts to stop further spread of the virus. Amravati has already gone into a partial lockdown after 6pm till Monday. “If cases keep rising with the new variant, then it will be essential to impose local lockdown in those areas,” said epidemiologist Dr Lancelot Pinto.

Meanwhile, the three swab samples that were sent from Satara for genome sequencing have not shown any mutation. Dr Aniruddha Athalye, DHO, Satara, said, “We had sent the samples 10-12 days ago, but didn’t find any variant.”

Medical experts said there is nothing to worry as virus mutation is a regular phenomenon. Also, the same two mutated strains of the virus have been observed all across the country.

“These two mutations are not new. So we aren’t observing any drastic changes until the detailed analysis at NIV finds something unique. Hopefully, the report will be available in the next eight days,” said Dr Subhash Salunke, technical adviser to the Maharashtra government on the Covid-19 outbreak. “But yes, the new mutated virus is spreading aggressively. However, it is not severe as it hasn’t pushed up the fatality yet.”

The health department said no new strain similar to the ones found in Britain, South Africa and Brazil have been discovered.

DHOs blamed the careless attitude of citizens as one of the factors for the rise in cases. “The collector has instructed us to impose heavy fines on those found without masks. We will also inspect functions to keep a check on the crowd,” said Dr Asole.