LUCKNOW: Sub-types of Omicron variant, which are behind the Covid-19 surge in the US and recorded in about 80% of the patients, have been found in Uttar Pradesh too.
The variants — BA.2.12 and BA.2.10 — have been isolated in the genome sequencing undertaken by the National Centre for Disease Control, SGPGI and KGMU.
A total 68 samples from western UP districts were sent for genome sequencing to NCDC New Delhi while 49 have been tested in Lucknow. Of the total 117 samples, at least 20 belong to the sub-types BA.1.12. In some samples, the sub-type BA.1.10 was found.
Confirming the findings, nodal officer, Covid-19, Dr Vikasendu Agarwal, said: "The present surge in UP is being attributed to the two sub-types. The message for people is that take precautions but there is no need to panic."
He added that omicron reproductive number is 10 which means that one positive patient can spread the infection to 10 persons. "The transmissibility of omicron sub-types will be more or less the same and preventive steps like hand hygiene, social distancing and masks can check the spread," he said. There were reports that over 50% of the total samples sequenced in Delhi were of the BA.2.12 type while 11% of the B.2.10.
