BENGALURU: Noting that each variant of Covid-19 has had a different appearance and set of characteristics, D Randeep, commissioner of health and family welfare, on Tuesday ordered clinical surveillance of cases at Victoria Hospital.
The initiative, to ensure early recognition of any new Covid variant, was discussed at the latest meeting of the state’s technical advisory Committee (TAC). Clinical surveillance will look for new or different symptoms in Covid patients.
“Samples collected from the patients will be sent for genome sequencing to the designated labs as a precautionary measure to identify the emergence of a new variant, if any,” Randeep tweeted. A fortnightly report will be prepared and sent to the state surveillance unit.
Immediate action
The objective is not just to identify the new variant but also to take action in the interest of public health.
The TAC appreciated the efforts of clinicians in South Africa who recognised the emergence of the Omicron variant which showed symptoms different from the variants preceding it.
