Vaccination cuts virus mutation rate

Genome sequencing not so efficient: scientist

The ‘Delta Plus’ coronavirus variant is not yet a matter of concern with 200 cases recorded so far but one of its lineage “AY3” was being observed closely with genome sequencing. “It is early days and we will know soon where it is going. However, it is not easy to interpret data in real time and there are no clear cut answers to how many number of samples need to be sequenced,” said noted scientist and director of Tata Institute of Genetics & Society (TIGS) Rakesh Mishra on Thursday. “Sample collection and submission is not happening in an efficient manner. It is taking 20 days from collection to submission and up to 100 days for sequencing to be completed. There should be rationale in sample collection and these should be from varied geographical locations, from breakthrough infections and super-spreader events,” he explained.