Amid Omicron fear, NBMCH still awaits genome lab nod

SANKHA GHOSH, SNS, SILIGURI, 29 NOVEMBER 21 : Amid global concerns over a new strain rain of the Corona virus, which the World Health Organisationhas named 'Omicron' and classified it as a highly transmissible variant of concern, the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital is still waiting for a go-ahead from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for setting up a whole genome sequencing facility.

The department of microbiology at North Bengal's premier health institute has recently sent a proposal to the state health department about the same.

The NBMCH sends Covid19 samples for genome sequencing to the National Institute of Biomedical Genomics (NIBG) at Kalyani, the only such facility in the state.

"We have sent a proposal to the health department for the sequencer machine. It will help us study virus mutations and the emerging zoonotic diseases," said the head of the microbiology department, Prof. Arunava Sarkar.

Sources said the NBMCH has sent 429 samples of Covid19 to the NIBG between 12 March and 18 November. The samples were earlier tested at the virus research and diagnostic laboratory (VRDL) at the NBMCH.

It may be recalled here that a few months ago, 14 Covid-positive samples in north Bengal had been sent for genome sequencing on 21 May and they were found to be the Delta and 11K variants. As many as 97 out of the 98 Covid-19 positive samples from neighbouring Sikkim that had been sent for sequencing in June had also been found to be the Delta variant.

"The state government has given its approval, and now it requires a nod from the ICMR. If the proposal for the sequencer machine is cleared, all the sequencing will be conducted here, and the VRDL will be more advanced. Cell culture, tissue culture will be done. It will be a major development for advanced virology research in the region. It will help track the transmission and also give an insight into how the virus has evolved," said the assistant professor of the department of microbiology and in-charge of the VRDL., Dr Santanu Hazra.

According to public health specialists, irrespective of the variant in circulation, the response measures remain the same-early testing, treating, contact tracing, precautions such as masks and Covid avoidance, and vaccination.

Virologists said the positivity rate in both Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts stood at around five percent. The number of patients getting admitted in the NBMCH with Covid19 is also increasing.

"We have adequate infrastructure for Covid-19 patients. We are well equipped until the number of hospitalized patients goes up," said the NBMCH superintendent, Dr Sanjay Mallik.