Genome Analysis Shows 76% Prevalence Of Omicron In Odisha; 64 More Cases Detected

Bhubaneswar: Another 64 cases of Omicron variant of COVID-19 have been detected during genome sequencing of community samples at Institute of Life Science, Bhubaneswar.

A total of 84 samples from 15 districts were sequenced. “While 55 samples of Omicron had BA.2 strain (the more transmissible one), only nine had BA.1 strain,” the ILS said in a statement on Friday.

This was revealed a day after the Health Department found 576 Omicron cases among 1,729 positives of 31,666 samples tested using Omisure kits. While Omisure kits data showed 33% prevalence of Omicron in Odisha, it is 76.19% according to ILS latest genome analysis.

Also Read: [Watch] Tests Using Omisure Kits Reveal 33% Prevalence Of Omicron In Odisha

The health authorities have attributed the low percentage of Omicron detection to the wrong interpretation of the test results in laboratories across the state. Stating that the efficacy of OmiSure kits is yet to be ascertained, the Public Health Director Dr Niranjan Mishra had said a comparison with the genome sequencing data will give a clear picture on the prevalence of the super mutant variant. “The data is not conclusive as several districts are yet to submit the test reports, the samples of Covid positive cases not detected with Omicron variant will be sequenced for better clarity,” he added.

Notably, the state had reported a sharp spike in Omicron cases on January 19 when 147 samples tested positive for this variant of COVID-19 at ILS, taking the total to 347. With 64 more added to it, the tally has now touched 411.

The last analysis of samples collected randomly from 10 districts between January 9 and January 16 had put the prevalence of Omicron at around 60 per cent. “It was on January 19 the genome analysis report had come, when the COVID infection graph in the state had plateaued. After more than two weeks, it has crossed the 75 per cent mark, which means a little less than one-fourth of the infected carry the Delta variant,” ILS director Ajay Parida told TOI.

Odisha has been witnessing a sharp fall in new COVID cases with less than 3,000 infections being detected in the last two days. It is among the three states in the country, where Omicion and Delta variants are still prevalent.

Also Read: Odisha COVID Update: Daily Cases Remain Below 3K, TPR 4.12%

However, the number of deaths due to the deadly disease continues to be a concern with over 130 fatalities being confirmed in the last one week.

Also Read: 136 COVID Deaths In One Week; 8-Year-Old Among 22 New Casulaties In Odisha