Four Strains Of Coronavirus Detected In Odisha, Says ILS Director

Bhubaneswar: All the four strains of coronavirus that have been identified in the country have been detected in Odisha, said Director of Institute of Life Sciences (ILS), Bhubaneswar Ajay Parida on Tuesday.

“There are four groups of the virus in India and all the groups are present in Odisha. Research and analysis are underway to see if there is any change in the genetic level of the virus,” Parida said.

Speaking to media, Parida said research is going on to ascertain changes in the genetic level of the virus. “Now we are analysing the particular genes which have virulence in order to find out to what extent it became divergent. The results of the finding are expected within two to three days,” he said.

On the rapid antigen test which was launched in the state today, Parida said those testing positive will be declared confirmed cases. If any person shows negative results but has symptoms, his sample will be sent for RT-PCR test. It will not only increase the tests but also detect the spread of the virus, he added.

The ILS Director said the death rate in Odisha is not that high compared to other states. As the number of testing has been increased, more positive cases are coming to fore, he added.

On the possibility of air transmission of the virus, Parida said, “Coronavirus particles are big in size and fall on the surface area. However, a new study has claimed that the small particles of the virus can be air borne. It is a research finding and the researchers have requested WHO to change guidelines as per the new finding. But, WHO has not taken any decision in this regard so far.”

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