UP: Lucknow Hospital Confirms Two Samples Of New Kappa Variant Of COVID-19

Kappa Variant: As the COVID-19 cases in India start to drop, new variants of the virus are being detected. Lucknow King George Medical University performed genome sequencing on 109 samples and two of the samples were confirmed of Kappa variant. The other 107 samples were of the Delta variant.

According to a report, the information about this development has been given to the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. He along with other ministers had a review meeting. The official statement issued after the meeting says, "Both the variants are not new for the state. The facility of genome sequencing is being increased in the state."

The process of genome sequencing helps in keeping track of the disease outbreak as it finds out about its mutations. Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Amit Mohan Prasad told PTI that the variant was seen earlier too in cases found in the state. He said, "There is nothing to worry about. This is a variant of coronavirus and its treatment is possible."

Health Secretary Says the Variant Was detected Earlier Also:

As per a report, the minister did not reveal the district's in which the variant was found or the place where it was first found. The Kappa variant is reportedly highly transmissible like the Delta variant. Recently, the World Health Organisation also issues a statement in which they said that the Delta variant has been reported in 96 countries and it is expected to grow more in the coming months.

Many experts have expressed the concern that the Delta variant can be the cause of a possible third wave of COVID-19 in India. With yet another new variant detected in Uttar Pradesh, the state government's are reportedly looking to prepare. Uttar Pradesh at present has a daily positivity rate of 0.04 %.