Majority of samples in Bengaluru test the presence of Delta variant

Bengaluru: According to a recent genomic study held in Bengaluru, the B.1.617.2 strain of Covid-19 which has been named as ‘Delta variant’ by WHO, has been detected in the majority of the people in Karnataka.

As per the results of the genomic surveillance study, over 93 per cent of samples collected from symptomatic patients had the presence of the Delta variant.

Dr Vishal Rao, Dean, Centre of Academic Research, HCG Cancer Hospital, who was part of the study, said, “This is a genuine cause of worry. While we were aware the second wave had to do with new variants, this comes as tangible proof that majority affected are harbouring new variants.”

He added the cause of emergent new variant is due to widespread infection and population. He said that keeping in mind these factors, a high level of genomic vigilante is necessary to detect new mutants quickly. He added, “Our public health responses need to be directed using real-time mapping of genomic surveillance to help mount a more robust public health response.”

In a discussion with the deputy CM, the team behind the genomic study highlighted the necessity of mapping vaccine efficiency, in the wake of the virus rapidly mutating and creating new variants.

The team observed that the vaccines were made using the original Wuhan strain. The team noted, “With new variants we will need to constantly map the vaccine escape mutations that may come up, thus making the current vaccines less effective. To overcome vaccine escape mutation, we may require a booster or a completely new vaccine.”

No proof that the new variant will target children

When asked if the warning that the third wave will affect children were associated with the character of the Delta strain, Dr Rao said that no such indicators or proofs were available for the same.

He said, “However, the conjecture comes from the fact that currently with vaccination covering all age groups above 18 years, the only vulnerable population would be children where the virus would potentially target as host. Nonetheless, all people who haven’t been vaccinated or partially vaccinated would still be vulnerable.”

He further said that if the unpredictable progress of the pandemic continued, it was unlikely that the herd community will be achieved by real-time genomic surveillance.

Dr Rao said, “This cycle of “new variants causing new waves which may need a new herd (immunity) is likely to continue in perpetuity unless we break it with a strategy to completely lockdown and vaccinate a critical proportion of the population, a ‘lock-and-load’ strategy.”