Latest News
Omicron in Community Transmission Stage, Dominant Strain In Cities
January 23, 2022
New Delhi: The Omicron variant of the coronavirus is in the community transmission stage in the country and has become dominant in several metros where new cases have been spiking exponentially, INSACOG said in its latest bulletin.
Short for Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium, INSACOG checks variations in coronavirus across the nation to help understand how it spreads and evolves, and to suggest the best possible public health response.
The centre's Covid research body also said BA.2 lineage, an infectious sub-variant of Omicron, has been detected in a considerable fraction in India.
While most Omicron cases so far have been asymptomatic or mild, hospitalisations and ICU cases have increased in the current wave and the threat level remains unchanged, INSACOG said in its January 10 bulletin that was released on Sunday.
"Omicron is now in community transmission in India and has become dominant in multiple metros, where new cases have been rising exponentially. BA.2 lineage is in a substantial fraction in India and S gene dropout based screening is thus likely to give high false negatives," it said.
S-gene drop-out is a genetic variation like that of Omicron.
"The recently reported B.1.640.2 lineage is being monitored. There is no evidence of rapid spread and while it has features of immune escape, it is currently not a variant of concern. So far, no case has been detected in India," the INSACOG said.
RELATED NEWS
View all
Latest News
Sri Lanka advises early paddy planting ahead of heavy rains, 2027 dry spell
Sep 04, 2026
Latest News
Sri Lanka plans Rs. 600 billion railway electrification project
Sep 04, 2026
Latest News
Sri Lanka dengue cases rise to 96,040
Sep 04, 2026
Latest News
Metro Bus service aims to create new public transport culture
Sep 04, 2026
