MUMBAI: The BA.2 subvariant of the Omicron variant is now the dominant strain of coronavirus circulating in the city.
The latest round of genome sequencing that studied 237 samples found the majority were affected by Omicron’s BA.2 and not even one by Delta or its lineages.
“Omicron has pushed out the Delta variant from the city. In the tenth round of genome sequencing, we didn’t find Delta in any samples. Maximum were found to be BA. 2 of Omicron variant,” said Suresh Kakani, additional municipal commissioner.
In the ninth round, Omicron was found in 94. 7% samples, while the eighth sequencing study had found Omicron in 89% of the samples.
The WHO had recently said that the Omicron variant of concern was currently the dominant one circulating globally. “Based on available data of transmission, severity, reinfection.., BA.2 sublineage should continue to be considered a variant of concern and should continue to be monitored as a distinct sublineage of Omicron,” the WHO said on February 22.
The BMC data showed that of the 237 people affected, 103 were unvaccinated, six were partially vaccinated and 128 were fully vaccinated. Among the unvaccinated cohort, 17% needed hospitalisation, two required oxygen support and one needed ICU care. In comparison, from the fully vaccinated group of 128, 5% needed hospitalisation, one needed oxygen and another ICU care. There were no deaths recorded in the group.
The latest round of genome sequencing that studied 237 samples found the majority were affected by Omicron’s BA.2 and not even one by Delta or its lineages.
“Omicron has pushed out the Delta variant from the city. In the tenth round of genome sequencing, we didn’t find Delta in any samples. Maximum were found to be BA. 2 of Omicron variant,” said Suresh Kakani, additional municipal commissioner.
In the ninth round, Omicron was found in 94. 7% samples, while the eighth sequencing study had found Omicron in 89% of the samples.
The WHO had recently said that the Omicron variant of concern was currently the dominant one circulating globally. “Based on available data of transmission, severity, reinfection.., BA.2 sublineage should continue to be considered a variant of concern and should continue to be monitored as a distinct sublineage of Omicron,” the WHO said on February 22.
The BMC data showed that of the 237 people affected, 103 were unvaccinated, six were partially vaccinated and 128 were fully vaccinated. Among the unvaccinated cohort, 17% needed hospitalisation, two required oxygen support and one needed ICU care. In comparison, from the fully vaccinated group of 128, 5% needed hospitalisation, one needed oxygen and another ICU care. There were no deaths recorded in the group.