NIV scientists found genome sequenced Xe coronavirus variant in Mumbai

According to government officials, the central government will take action based on the NIV report.

On Wednesday, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said that a woman who had come from South Africa in February and tested positive for COVID-19 was found infected with the XE variant, which was first detected in the UK. I was found out.

Subsequently, the Union Health Ministry had said that the genomic constitution of the sample verified by experts from the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) does not pertain to the genomic picture of the ‘XE’ variant.

“The FastQ files with respect to the sample, being termed the ‘XE’ variant, were analyzed in detail by genomic experts from INSACOG, who inferred that the genomic constitution of this variant is related to the genomic picture of the ‘XE’ variant.” No. A spokesperson of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had said.

“As per the government protocol, any type detected from anywhere has to come to the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune for confirmation. Once the NIV, Pune confirms it, only then will the Health Ministry announce it. The sample is likely to reach the NIV today, after which scientists from NIV Pune will do the genome sequencing of the sample and confirm it to INSCOG. As of now, it is too early to say what the nature of this new mutant will be,” said a government scientist requesting anonymity.

According to the World Health Organisation, the Xe variant of the coronavirus is a hybrid strain of two omicron sub-variants, and is reportedly the most transmissible strain to date. So far, the XE variant has been reported in the UK, New Zealand, China, and a few others.

An email query sent to the Health Ministry spokesperson on Thursday morning regarding the new COVID mutant virus to be analyzed by scientists at NIV, Pune did not immediately respond to an e-mail.

Till date, India has recorded over 4.9 crore Covid cases, taking the death toll to 5.2 lakh. Under the nationwide vaccination campaign, more than 185.04 crore vaccine doses have been given so far.