7 variants behind second wave surge in Kashi region

A joint genome sequencing study by scientists of multidisciplinary research unit, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, and CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad, revealed that seven major variants of coronavirus wreaked havoc in Varanasi and adjoining districts during the second wave of the pandemic.

“We started working on the project in April. Our team, including Dr SP Mishra, Dr Deepa Devdas, Dr Priyonil Basu and Dr Chetan Sahni collected samples from Varanasi city and rural areas of Chandauli, Sonbhadra, Jaunpur and Bhadohi mostly in April. The team at CCMB sequenced these samples and found out that there were at least seven major variants circulating in the region. One hundred thirty samples were sequenced in this study,” said head, multidisciplinary research unit, BHU, prof Royana Singh, who led the team of researchers.

“Among the variants of concern (VoC), the most predominant variant we found in our study was B.1.617. This variant was also reported to be one of the major drivers of the second Covid wave in India,” prof Singh added.

Prof Singh said prof Gyaneshwar Chaubey of department of zoology, BHU, was of immense help to them during their study.

“Just as in most of India, B.1.617.2 variant (aka Delta variant) was most common among the samples we studied. They were found among 36% of the total samples. Other VoCs such as the B.1.351, detected in South Africa for the first time, was also found in this area,” said Dr Rakesh Mishra, advisor, CCMB.

“This study confirms yet again that the Delta variant is the most widespread variant in country right now. But at the same time, it is imperative for us to keep an eye on other emerging variants to prevent another surge in cases,” he added.