Covid-19 AY.4.2 variant frequency too low: INSACOG

ITS WEEKLY BULLETIN SAID THE VACCINE EFFECTIVENESS DOES NOT SEEM TO BE DIFFERENT FOR AY.4.2 WHEN COMPARED TO OTHER DELTA VARIANTS

NEW DELHI: The frequency of the new AY.4.2 variant of Covid-19 is less than 0.1 percent of all VOI/VOC and is too low to be of concern at this time, the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) said.

Its weekly bulletin said the vaccine effectiveness does not seem to be different for AY.4.2 when compared to other Delta variants. The INSACOG said that AY.4.2 variant of Covid-19 is less than 0.1 percent of all of all variants of concern and variant of interest (VOC/VOI) and is too low to be of concern at this time.

“There is currently no biological basis for increased transmissibility of AY.4.2, as judged epidemiologically, and assays are in progress,” it said.

The AY.4.2 is an evolution of the Delta variant and largely has the same mutations as Delta, but with three additional ones that scientists say should be treated as a characteristic: A222V and Y145H in the Spike protein of the virus, and A2529V in a portion known as the ORF1ab.

The INSACOG noted that Delta (B.1.617.2 and AY.x) continues to be the main variant of concern (VOC) in India and no new variant of interest (VOI) or VOC are noted in India.

Delta, which was first found in India in October last year, led to the devastating second wave of the coronavirus pandemic in the country, which was at its peak in April and May.

INSACOG, a consortium of 28 national laboratories, was set up in December 2020 to monitor the genomic variations in SARSCoV-2, the Covid-19 causing virus. The pan-India network functions under the Union health ministry.

Meanwhile, India reported 10,853 Covid-19 new cases and 526 deaths in the last 24 hours, informed the Union ministry of health and family welfare on Sunday.

With the addition of new deaths, the total deaths toll reached 460,791. The country’s active caseload stands at 144,845 the lowest in the last 260 days, the ministry said,

According to ministry, with 12,432 recoveries reported in the last 24 hours, the total recoveries in the country have been increased to 33,749,900. The recovery rate is currently at 98.23 per cent which is the highest since March 2020.