Delhi Covid: Almost 90 per cent of Covid samples genome-sequenced in July-August detected with BA.2 variant

Most of the samples were found with BA.2 variant while some were detected with the BA.5 variant of the virus. However, the BA.4 variant was not detected in any of the sample genomes sequenced in both months of July and August.
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Delhi: Nearly 90 per cent of the Covid-19 samples genome-sequenced in Delhi in the months of July and August this year were detected with the BA.2 variant of the virus, according to official data.
A total of 1,271 samples were analysed in laboratories in July of which 1,133 samples were detected with the BA.2 variant while 138 were detected with the BA.5 variant of the Coronavirus.
In August 2022, an analysis of as many as 2,064 samples was done and 90.35 per cent of those were detected with the BA.2 variant, while 199 samples were detected with the BA.5 variant.
In both months, none of the samples were found with the BA.4 variant of the virus.
Delhi witnessed a rise in the number Covid cases in August. Experts said that the reason behind the case spike was laxed behaviour of people who let down their guard and not following Covid-appropriate behaviour.
However, with the number of daily cases of the viral infection falling below 100 now, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) may do away with the Rs-500 fine for not wearing masks in public places.
Along with removing the fine and easing the mask mandate, the DDMA may also be reducing the deployment of staff and equipment in hospitals in phases as the city has been witnessing a steady decline in the number of fresh Covid-19 cases.
The national capital logged 77 fresh Covid cases of Covid-19 on Thursday with a positivity rate of 0.74 per cent, according to data shared by the health department.
The DDMA met on Thursday to review the Covid situation in the national capital and to asses the resources deployed at the hospitals dedicated to tackle the coronavirus.
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