Delta variant found in 60% samples, reveals PGIMER

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 21

During the second wave, the Delta variant (B.1.617.2) comprised 60 per cent of the samples sent for genome sequencing to the National Centre for Disease Control, New Delhi, by the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh.

PGI Director Prof Jagat Ram said a majority of these samples (92 per cent) belonged to city residents. “Delta strain was the main circulating strain in the second wave in Chandigarh, while Alpha variant (B.1.1.7) was found to be present among 30 per cent of the samples,” said the PGI Director.

Opt for vaccination in increased numbers

Prof Jagat Ram has advised people to adhere to Covid-appropriate behaviour and also opt for vaccination in increased numbers so as to break the transmission chain completely and halt the impending threat of a third wave keeping in view the emerging and fast-spreading Delta and Delta plus variants.

Prof Jagat Ram said: “The Department of Virology, PGI, has been carrying out Covid-19 testing through RT-PCR since March 2020. Till date, over 2.5 lakh samples have been tested. To study whether there was any change in the circulating strain in Chandigarh during the second wave, 25 stored positive samples from May 5, 2021 to May 24, 2021 were sent for whole genome sequencing to the NCDC, New Delhi.”

Prof GD Puri, Dean (Academics), PGI, confirmed that among the samples sent from the Nehru Hospital Extension Block where severe and critical Covid patients were admitted, all 10 samples belonged to the Delta strain. However, 80 per cent of the patients who died of Covid-19 harboured the Alpha strain. No case of Delta plus variant was reported in the samples sent.

Out of the five samples of those who died of Covid-19 at the PGI, Alpha variant was found in four samples. Commenting on the severity of the variants, Prof Mini P Singh from the Virology Department, PGI, said the sample number was too small to ascertain which strain was more severe.

With this backdrop, Prof Jagat Ram advised people to adhere to Covid-appropriate behaviour and also opt for vaccination in increased numbers so as to break the transmission chain completely and halt the impending threat of third wave keeping in view the emerging and fast-spreading Delta and Delta plus variant. “A major sign of relief is the cooling down of the second wave and the total toll of positive patients is low in Chandigarh, but still there is no room for complacency,” he said.