Updated April 17th, 2021 at 10:58 IST
RT-PCR tests in India ‘do not miss’ any variants of COVID virus, confirms Health Ministry
The Central government clarified that RT-PCR tests "do not miss" various variants of the SARS-COV-2. Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan confirmed it on Twitter.
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The Central government on April 16 clarified that RT-PCR tests "do not miss" various variants of the SARS-COV-2. The Union Minister for Health Dr Harsh Vardhan took to his Twitter handle to confirm the news. The government’s clarification came amid media reports that RT-PCR tests are “failing” to detect new variants of the novel virus. There are various mutations of the COVID-19 vaccine that have been found in many countries including India.
RT-PCR detect COVID variants
The COVID-19 mutation variants found in India include UK mutations, Brazil mutations, South Africa variants. However, the centre has now explained that the RT-PCR test will reveal all the COVID-19 variants. He further said that the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium has processed 13,000+ samples for Genome Sequencing. The central government however expressed concern that despite their advice several states did not send samples for genome sequencing along with clinical data of positive people.
🔹RTPCR Tests being used in India DON’T miss UK, Brazil, SA & Double Mutant #coronavirus variants
— Dr Harsh Vardhan (@drharshvardhan)
🔸Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium has reaffirmed the fact having processed 13,000+ samples for Genome Sequencing
🔹It has been regularly sharing data on variants with States
Meanwhile, the Union Health Ministry on March 24 revealed that the Genome sequencing by the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Consortium on Genomics (INSACOG) has shown variants of concern and a novel variant in India. The novel SARS-CoV-2 variant has been found in Maharashtra with double mutation. The Indian SARS-CoV-2 Consortium on Genomics (INSACOG) is a grouping of 10 National Laboratories that was established by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Since then INSACOG is carrying out genomic sequencing and analysis of circulating COVID-19 viruses and correlating epidemiological trends with genomic variants.
The Union Health Ministry of India stated, "Since INSACOG initiated its work, 771 variants of concerns (VOCs) have been detected in a total of 10787 positive samples shared by States/UTs. These include 736 samples positive for viruses of the UK (B.1.1.7) lineage. 34 samples were found positive for viruses of the South African (B.1.351) lineage. 1 sample was found positive for viruses of the Brazilian (P.1) lineage. The samples with these VOCs have been identified in 18 States of the country."
(Image Credit: PTI)
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Published April 17th, 2021 at 10:58 IST