Battling the mutant Indias testing regime has to rise to a new challenge: 5% whole genome sequencing – The Times of India Blog

In view of the new UK strain that has shown a higher enough degree of infectiousness to have drawn fresh international travel restrictions from several countries, Indias national task force on Covid-19 has recommended the whole genome sequencing of 5% of positive cases from all states and UTs as part of prospective surveillance. While at this stage the new strain is not known to either cause more severe disease or require fresh treatment protocols, the importance of tracking it properly cannot be overstated. Throughout the pandemic it has been seen again and again that any negligence in testing takes a painfully high toll.

One reason why the UK was able to alert the world to the worrying mutation is that a genetic consortium there systematically sequences 10% of all positive samples. Most countries dont even sequence 1%. In India the sequences of less than 5,000 novel coronavirus samples are in the public domain. The goal of now seeking to sequence 5% of all positive cases means that there can be no letup in testing even though overall infection has been trending downwards, with only 18,732 new Covid-19 cases reported in the Sunday update, the lowest daily rise in nearly six months. The new ask also depends on molecular tests that have the requisite sensitivity.

Meanwhile the way in which many recent UK returnees are untraceable reminds of costly lapses in the early days of the pandemic and underlines the challenges going forward. There is also learning for ongoing domestic trials from how Pfizer and Moderna are launching new studies for their vaccines effectiveness against the new strain. Overall this new scare stresses that constant vigilance will be needed right until herd immunity is achieved through widespread and effective vaccinations. And India must not fritter away its hard won gains against the virus.

This piece appeared as an editorial opinion in the print edition of The Times of India.

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Battling the mutant Indias testing regime has to rise to a new challenge: 5% whole genome sequencing - The Times of India Blog