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Cases of BA sub-lineage of Omicron found in Maharashtra for first time

Meanwhile, the state reported 529 new cases and zero deaths taking the progressive total to 78,85,394 and 1,47,858, respectively
Last Updated 28 May 2022, 15:33 IST

In what may trigger concerns over the Covid-19 pandemic, B.A. 4 and 5 variants have been reported in Maharashtra for the first time.

The B. A. 4 and 5 are of the Omicron sub lineage, which increases the rate of transmission of the virus to certain extent, according to international experience.

All the seven patients are based in Pune, according to reports.

The Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) of the Public Health Department confirmed the development.

According to the latest report of the Whole Genomic Sequencing (WGS) conducted in coordination with the B J Medical College, Pune, 4 patients of B.A. 4 variants and 3 patients of B.A. 5 variants have been found in Pune.

The new variant has been identified in a WGS conducted by the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) in Bhopal and has been confirmed by the Indian Biological Data Center (IBDC) in Faridabad.

“All of them had mild symptoms of Covid. No one needed to be hospitalised and treated successfully in-home isolation,” officials of the Public Health Department said.

“There is nothing to worry at this stage,” says Dr IS Gilada, Secretary General, Organized Medicine Academic Guild (OMAG).

The IDSP, while sharing details, said among the patients, four are males and three are females.

Of them, four are in the age group of more than 50 years and two are in the age group of 20 to 40 years, while one is below 10 years.

“Two of these patients have a history of traveling to South Africa, Belgium, while three have traveled to Kerala and Karnataka. Two patients have no travel history,” an official statement said.

All but one 9-year-old have received both doses of the Covid vaccine, while one has also taken a booster.

Meanwhile, the state reported 529 new cases and zero deaths taking the progressive total to 78,85,394 and 1,47,858, respectively.

As of today, there are 2,772 active cases in the state.

Earlier, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Public Health Minister Rajesh Tope had yet again urged people to wear masks and follow Covid-19 protocols.

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(Published 28 May 2022, 13:29 IST)

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