10/06/2021 - S & T

KEY POINTS

·        If there is one tool in the COVID-19 pandemic response, which India has been slow in adoption and has used sub-optimally, it is genomic sequencing.

·        An effective COVID-19 pandemic response requires, inter alia, keeping track of emerging variants and then conducting further studies.

·        Unfortunately, there is not enough attention to scale up genomic sequencing, which as per the original plan was supposed to cover 5% of confirmed COVID-19 cases.

·        The challenge of insufficient genomic sequencing is further compounded by the pace at which data is being shared, especially when the emergence of strains is so vital in tracking and responding to a pandemic.

·        The Delta variant became the most circulating variant in Delhi and was found in nearly 60% of the samples analysed, is 50% more transmissible than the Alpha variant.

·        India needs to scale up genomic sequencing, across all States. There should be sufficient and representative samples collected for genomic sequencing

·        The Indian government needs to invest and support more scientific and operational research on vaccine effectiveness.

·        The data should be analysed on a regular basis and should include various stratifiers such as age, gender.

·        As Indian States plan to open up after COVID-19 restrictions, the settings with predominantly the Delta variant in circulation  should aim for far stricter adherence to COVID appropriate behaviour, in public places.

Please review  mam/sir

Kindly review and provide suggestions

kindly review and provide suggestions mam/sir 

Kindly review