COVID-19

10 COVID-19 variants found in Manipur

Manipur Health Services director Dr K Rajo informed that the 10 variants of COVID-19 were found during genome sequencing of 1,002 samples collected from Coronavirus positive individuals.

ByIFP Bureau

Updated 17 Sept 2021, 5:27 am

(PHOTO: IFP)
(PHOTO: IFP)

Manipur Health Services director Dr K Rajo on Thursday informed that a total of 10 variants of COVID-19 have been found in the state during genome sequencing of 1,002 samples collected from Covid positive individuals.

He was speaking to the media during a state level press briefing on COVID-19 pandemic held at State Ophthalmic Cell of the Health directorate in Imphal.

Rajo elaborated that the 10 variants are Delta variant (B.1.617.2) -771; AY.12 -121; AY.4 -62; AY.5 -1; AY.6 -3; Alpha (B.1.1.7) -4; Beta (B.1.351) -1; Kappa variant (B.1.617.1) -5; B.1. early variant - 6 and none VOC -3.

Until Wednesday, a total of 2,054 samples had been sent for genome sequencing, of which 1,002 results have arrived while the results of the remaining 1,052 are still awaited, he added.

Informing that a person can easily prevent from getting infected by all these variants if the person is fully vaccinated, he reiterated that getting vaccinated and following the Covid appropriate behaviours are the only measures to protect oneself from the virus. 

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Regarding the surge of Covid positive cases in the neighbouring state of Mizoram, the Health directorate had strengthened the screening and testing process at inter-state borders in Churachandpur and Pherzawl and had cautioned the villagers residing at the border areas, he said. 

The director said as the positivity rate in Manipur is above five per cent, there is no encouragement for reopening of schools in the state. 

Once the positivity rate drops below five per cent, the government will consider the reopening of schools by implementing certain protocols, he added.

When asked about the alleged frequent breaking of the Covid appropriate behaviours while organising government programmes, Rajo said that the Health department has no authority to strictly enforce SOPs. “In this regard, we have no other options other than making an appeal to follow the SOPs. It is the district administration which should enforce the SOPs strictly,” the director added.

Concerning post-Covid complications, he said that dedicated post-Covid wards/clinics had been opened at RIMS and JNIMS. Officials of the Health department had also been instructed to track down the post-Covid patients and enquire about their health, he added. 

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Further mentioning that the oxygen level of a post-Covid patient can go down anytime, he advised the patients to keep track of their oxygen level by using oximeters and take the help of an oxygen concentrator or immediately go to a hospital.

Regarding for possibility of a third wave of the Covid pandemic which is likely to be targeting the children, he informed that the state government had constituted a 'State Task Force for Covid Control' and had also taken up necessary steps to arrange the needed drugs, medicines and equipment for the treatment of children with Covid positive cases.

Moreover, all district hospitals and health centres including RIMS and JNIMS had been instructed to arrange dedicated beds for children, he added.

Informing that the state had slowly overcome the second wave, Rajo once again appealed to the public to get vaccinated and continue following the SOPs.

 
 
 

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COVID-19 in Manipurvariants of concerncovid variantsDelta variantgenome sequencingDR K Rajo

IFP Bureau

IFP Bureau

IMPHAL, Manipur

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