After the Delta Plus variant, Uttar Pradesh has reported two cases of Kappa COVID19 variant through the genome sequencing of samples. Kappa variant is a variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID19.
Genome sequencing of 109 samples was done at King George’s Medical University, a medical college in the state capital Lucknow. Of these, 107 samples have confirmed reporting Delta Plus variant of COVID19. In addition, two samples of the Kappa variant were reported. This was informed by Navneet Sehgal, additional chief secretary, Information Department of the state government, in a press conference today July 9.
Genome sequencing informs scientists the kind of genetic information that is carried in a particular DNA segment.
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However, as per the state government officials, there is no cause for worry. “There is nothing to worry about. This is a variant of coronavirus and its treatment is possible,” Amit Mohan Prasad, Additional Chief Secretary (Health), Government of Uttar Pradesh, was quoted as saying in a media report. Prasad reportedly said that such cases of Kappa variant were found in the state earlier too.
In the past 24 hours, 90 fresh infections and 13 COVID deaths were reported in the state. This takes the total COVID active caseload to 1,697. This data was shared by Prasad in the press conference.
In the past 24 hours, over 252,000 samples were tested for coronavirus in Uttar Pradesh, while so far, more than over 60 million samples have been tested in the state.
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