Morung Express News
Kohima | July 3
With the contagious COVID-19 Delta variant (B.1.617.2) being detected in 93 samples from the state of Nagaland along with two other variants, experts have underscored the need to upscale testing and vaccination in order to contain the potent ‘variant of concern.’
Interacting with some media personnel on Saturday afternoon at the BSL-3 lab in Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK), Dr V Tina Khamo said that the Delta variant “is a variant of concern with fast and strong transmissibility rate.” Dr Khamo is the Joint Director, Nodal Officer, BSL Labs/Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS).
Presenting the district wise distribution of samples sent for genome sequencing from the state (See Table), Dr Khamo said the 98 samples were sent to the National Institute of Biomedical Genomics (NIBG) in Kalyani, West Bengal, on June 10. Out of the 98 samples, 58 were from Kohima district, Tuensang -13, Mon - 8, Kiphire - 1 and Dimapur -18.
“When we sent our samples, we are not just looking for Delta variant; we are trying to see what type of variants we have,” Dr Khamo said. She further explained that the samples were sent to ascertain whether the variants were ‘of concern or interest.’
“When we look at the Delta variant, it is a variant of concern,” Dr Khamo maintained.
Elucidating on some key behaviors of Delta variant, she said, “The transmission is so fast and strong and it takes time to get out” and cautioned that unless it is contained, the virus would mutate, posing more danger. She also classified the transmissibility percentage of the different variants, and said that the Beta variant has 28%, Alpha -24-34%, Gamma 33-51%, Kappa - 28-89% and Delta with 78-121%.
Describing Delta Variant as ‘potent and highly transmissible’ because of its transmissibility and the risk of mutating to a more dangerous variant, Dr Khamo asserted that the state and its people really need to look into this and make quick decisions on how to contain the virus.
“So, now as we know what type of variant we have in our state, we have to buckle up and make quick decisions on how to contain this virus,” she said, adding that this can be done by upscaling both testing facility and vaccination.
“We have to test, test and test, so that we can detect and contain. The public has to be made aware that we are dealing with the delta variant, which is the most potent and if we are not careful, this may mutate again into another very dangerous one,” Dr Khamo reiterated.
She observed that of late, the people have become complacent and are taking things very lightly. However, she cautioned that the situation is worse than the first wave and explained that once the virus enters a person’s body, it thrives and starts replicating and the transmission is also fast and strong.
“Every individual needs to understand the potency of this virus and take utmost precautions,” Dr Khamo advised.
When queried on the efficacy of Covaxin and Covishied vaccine against the Delta variant, the nodal officer quoted medical experts and said the vaccines were ‘able to control the delta variant.’ She expressed hope that more and more people would be vaccinated and testing facility would soon be ramped up.
On being asked if the cost of testing is deterring people from coming forward for testing, Dr Khamo opined that, “as long as the test is being charged, nobody will come forward to do testing. We want to increasing testing facility but I don’t think anybody would like to come forward if it’s beyond one’s means.” The only way is to make testing free so that more people come forward to get tested, she added.
Dr Khamo further informed more samples are being readied for genome sequencing – 15 samples from each district.
She also informed that since the NIBG is doing genome sequencing for the whole country; it takes time for the result to come. Asked if random samples are being collected for genome sequencing, Dr Khamo said selections of samples are based on certain criterion such as PCR, CT values, enough materials and viral load etc.
