News Analysis India

Tag: Kappa variant

  • Kappa mutations behind Covid outbreaks in early 2021, especially in Maharashtra: INSACOG

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Indian sequencing data for mutations associated with greater infectivity shows that a mutation was also present in the Kappa lineage of COVID-19 that led to outbreaks in early 2021, especially in Maharashtra, before being displaced by Delta, the INSACOG said.

    In its weekly bulletin dated November 15, when concerns about new coronavirus variant Omicron had not surfaced, that was uploaded on its website on Tuesday, the Indian SARS-COV-2 Genomics Consortia said Delta (B.1.617.2 and AY.x) continues to be the main variant of concern (VOC) in India and no new variant of interest or VOC has been noted.

    “Analysis of Indian sequencing data for N mutations associated with greater infectivity shows that the N:R203M mutation was also present in the Kappa lineage (B.1.617.1 and B.1.617.3) that led to outbreaks in early 2021, especially in Maharashtra, before being displaced by Delta,” the bulletin said.

    “These mutations are not likely to have importance for cross-immunity. Both Covishield and Covaxin have already shown effectiveness against Delta,” it added.

    The Kappa variant, which was detected in India in December last year, has been classified as a ‘Variant Under Monitoring’ (VUM) by the World Health Organisation.

    The variant was detected among COVID-19 cases in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Kerala.

    The INSACOG reports genomic surveillance of SARS CoV-2 across the country through sequencing of samples from sentinel sites and also detailed state-wise district analysis for some states.

    A total of 95,929 samples have been analysed and 1,18,044 samples have been sequenced so far by the INSACOG.

  • 11 cases of new Kappa variant of COVID-19 detected in Rajasthan

    By PTI
    JAIPUR: Eleven cases of the new Kappa variant of COVID-19 have been detected in Rajasthan, Health Minister Raghu Sharma said on Tuesday.

    Of these, four cases each are from Alwar and Jaipur, two from Barmer and one is from Bhilwara, he said.

    The minister said reports of nine samples have been received from Delhi and two from the Sawai Mansingh (SMS) Hospital.

    The Kappa variant is a moderate form of the coronavirus as compared to its delta variant, Sharma said.

    No fresh fatality linked to the coronavirus was recorded in Rajasthan on Tuesday, even as 28 new cases raised the infection count to 9,53,187 in the state, according to an official report.

    The death toll from the pandemic stands at 8,945 in Rajasthan, it said.

    Ten of the fresh COVID-19 cases were reported from Jaipur and six from Alwar, the report said.

    A total of 9,43,629 people in the state have recovered from the infection and the number of active cases at present is 613, it said.

    Meanwhile, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday said the state is managing COVID-19 vaccination excellently, while blaming the delay in the drive on short supply of vaccine doses.

    Reviewing the progress of the inoculation campaign in the state from his official residence, the chief minister urged the Centre to give adequate supply of vaccines as a large number of people are yet to get their second dose.

    He directed officials of the state government to demand an increase in the supply of vaccines from the Centre so that people can be vaccinated on time.

    In a statement, the chief minister said that the World Health Organization (WHO) has appreciated the vaccination management of Rajasthan.

    “It is a matter of pride for the state. Our medical personnel have done the vaccination with utmost efficiency,” he added.

    Gehlot said a protocol should be prepared for religious events in the coming months in the wake of the viral disease.

    Health Minister Raghu Sharma said his department was ensuring proper preparations, keeping in mind the possibility of a third wave of the pandemic.

    A door-to-door survey has been started for non-communicable diseases, he added.

    So far, 2.67 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in the state.

    Out of these, 2.18 crore people have received their first dose and 48.87 lakh people have received both doses, Health Secretary Siddharth Mahajan said.

  • Two cases of Kappa variant of COVID-19 detected in Uttar Pradesh

    By PTI
    LUCKNOW: Two cases of Kappa variant of COVID-19 have been detected in Uttar Pradesh, according to an official statement issued on Friday. Genome sequencing of 109 samples was done at King George’s medical college here in the past few days.

    The Delta Plus variant of COVID-19 was found in 107 samples, while the Kappa variant was found in two samples, the statement issued after Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s routine review meeting said. “Both the variants are not new for the state. The facility of genome sequencing is being increased in the state,” it added.

    At present, the daily positivity rate in the state is 0.04 per cent. When asked about the Kappa variant, Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Amit Mohan Prasad said earlier also cases of this variant were found in the state.

    “There is nothing to worry about. This is a variant of coronavirus and its treatment is possible,” he said. When asked in which districts this variant was found, Prasad did not divulge details and said it would create fear among people.