Karnataka: Two Suspected Cases Of AY.4.2 Variant Of Covid Reported, Says State Health Minister

The Minister also requested the public not to panic since the state government is taking adequate steps to curb further infections.

Karnataka Health and Medical Education Minister K Sudhakar (File photo)

Chennai: Karnataka Health Minister K Sudhakar on Tuesday said that two suspected cases of AY.4.2 variant of coronavirus have been detected in the state and the samples have been sent for genome sequencing to a lab in Bengaluru. 

The AY.4.2 is a sub-variant of the Delta variant of novel coronavirus and the variant has reportedly been causing 9% of infections among people in the United Kingdom. The UK authorities have informed that AY.4.2 variant is even more transmissible than the Delta variant but there is no evidence to prove the claim till now.

According to a report on PTI, the two suspected persons who are detected with the variant are from Bengaluru and both are asymptomatic, said health department officials. 

The samples of both persons have been sent to National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) in Bengaluru for genome sequencing.

The Health Minister said, the state has sent the samples to a genome sequencing lab in Bengaluru and the state is equipped with 6-7 genome sequencing labs to help with testing.

Further to the question on preparedness, he said, the state can always discuss with experts and the Indian Council for Medical Research if a new variant emerges in the state.

The Minister also requested the public not to panic since the state government is taking adequate steps to curb further infections.

Meanwhile, a report in Hindustan Times said that at least 17 people have been affected by AY.4.2 strain of the COVID-19 from six states of the country. The new variant of Covid-19 has been detected from six states including Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Jammu & Kashmir.