Very Few Recombinant Covid Variants Found In India, None Associated With Severe Infections: INSACOG

The INSACOG further said that on a global level, two recombinant variants — XD and XE — are being closely monitored.

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New Delhi: Amidst the increasing number of covid-19 cases in the country, the Indian SARS-COV-2 Genomics Consortia (INSACOG) said on Wednesday that very few recombinant variants of the coronavirus have been found in the country and none of those has shown wither increased transmission, both locally and otherwise, nor were they associated with severe disease or hospitalisation, reported news agency PTI. 

The INSACOG, in its weekly bulletin of April 11 that was released on Wednesday, said that the incidences of suspected recombinants and the possible public health relevance are being closely monitored. It further said that a total of 2,40,570 samples have been sequenced so far. 

"Based on genome sequencing analysis, very few recombinant variants have been discovered in India. So far, none showed either increased transmission (locally or otherwise) or was associated with severe disease or hospitalisation," it said according to PTI. 

Based on genome sequencing analysis,very few recombinant variants have been discovered in India. So far, none showed either increased transmission(locally or otherwise)or associated with severe disease or hospitalization: INSACOG (Indian SARS-CoV-2 Consortium on Genomics)bulletin pic.twitter.com/HGdufrGQWO

— ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2022

The INSACOG further said that on a global level, two recombinant variants — XD and XE — are being closely monitored. XD variant among those has an Omicron S gene incorporated into a Delta genome, is found primarily in France. 

"XE is a BA.1/BA.2 recombinant, with the majority of the genome including the S gene belonging to BA.2. XE shows a slightly higher transmission rate. XE also shows a higher growth rate above that of BA.2; however, this finding requires further confirmation," the INSACOG stated.

Meanwhile, today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with chief ministers. In this meeting, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said one case of XK/XM was found in Maharashtra, one case of XJ was detected in Rajasthan and a case each of the XJ and XE versions of Omicron has been found in the country.