On Sunday, January 23, officials from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) stated that the highly transmissible variant of COVID-19 Omicron was found in 88 per cent of the positive samples in Mumbai, which makes it the dominant strain in circulation, reports stated.
Results of the 8th round of genome sequencing reveal that of the total 280 samples, 89% were infected with Omicron, 8% with Delta derivatives, 3% with Delta variants and other subtypes: Greater Mumbai Municipal Corporation
— ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2022
The Omicron variant is reported to have emerged in December and is claimed to be more transmissible than the Delta variant as well as its derivatives. However, experts have been quoted in reports cautioning towards the fact that the shift should not result in the lowering of guards.
According to accounts, the results were confirmed by the civic body's eighth round of genome sequencing. The results for these were finalised over the weekend.
Additional Municipal Commissioner, Suresh Kakani reportedly elaborated on how from the 363 samples sequenced, 88 per cent which is 320 were positive for Omicron. From the remaining 8 per cent which is 30 were of the Delta derivative, 0.8 per cent which is three were of Delta and 2.7 per cent which is 10 were of others.
Based on accounts, the earlier genome sequencing was conducted in December-end. Therein it was found that 55 per cent of the samples were positive for the Omicron variant.
In other developments, the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium had remarked that the Omicron is now in the community transmission stage in India and has become the dominant strain in many metros.
Also Read: Maharashtra: Third Wave Spreading Across All Districts?
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