Lok Sabha Question No. 1890 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-30
Subject: Mutations of COVID-19 Virus
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Jayadev Galla, Khagen Murmu, D. Ravikumar, Kanimozhi Karunanidhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1890 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.07.2021

## Mutations of COVID -19 virus

1890. Shri Jayadev Galla:

Shri Khagen Murmu:

Shri Ravikumar D.:

Shrimati Kanimozhi Karunanidhi:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY िव²ान और ÿौīोिगकì मं ýी

be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of different mutations of the SARS -Cov-2 virus detected in India and number of people infected by each of such strain along with the measures being taken for conducting research on the potential variants of concern, their transmission rate, target and severity;
- (b) the manner in which data is being collected for conducting research on the virus causing COVID19 and if so, the protocol being followed for the management of such data and its use for further medical research;
- (c) whether the Government has any plan to set up a genome sequencing lab in each State/ UT and if so the details thereof; and
- (d) the details of cases found infected with Delta Plus variant of COVID-19, State-wise?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

- (a) Sir,  the  Indian  SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) is monitoring the genomic variations  in  the  SARS-CoV-2  in  India.  A  total  of  58.4%  of  positive  samples  tested  are  of Variants of Concern (VOCs)/Variants of Interest (VOIs). The details of the mutations of SARSCoV2 detected through INSACOG network as on 22.07.2021 are:

| Total Samples Sequenced   | Total Samples Analyzed   | Alpha Variant   |   Beta Variant |   Gamma Variant | Delta Variant   | VOIs (B.1.617.1, B.1.617.3 and others)   | Total VOCs/VOIs   |
|---------------------------|--------------------------|-----------------|----------------|-----------------|-----------------|------------------------------------------|-------------------|
| 58,240                    | 46,124                   | 4,172           |            217 |               1 | 17,169          | 5,398                                    | 26,957            |

- (b) INSACOG collects samples through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) network for public health purpose to assess the impact on transmissibility and disease severity.
- (c) The 28 laboratories are located in 13 States/UTs. Efforts in terms of expansion of INSACOG and  onboarding  more  laboratories  have  been  undertaken.  The  criteria  for  recognizing  the laboratories  have  been  finalized.  Laboratories  which  fulfill  the  criteria  are  recognized  as INSACOG Genome Sequencing Laboratory (IGSL).
- (d) A total of 70 Delta Plus strains have been found as on 23.07.2021. The details of cases found to be infected with Delta Plus variant of SARS-CoV-2 is given in Annexure-A

*****

## Annexure -A

## Details of cases found infected with Delta Plus variant of SARS-CoV-2 as on 23.07.2021

| Name of State    | Total cases   |
|------------------|---------------|
| Madhya Pradesh   | (INSACOG) 11  |
| Maharashtra      | 23            |
| Chandigarh       | 04            |
| Andhra Pradesh   | 02            |
| Punjab           | 02            |
| Gujarat          | 02            |
| Kerala           | 03            |
| Himachal Pradesh | 01            |
| Tamil Nadu       | 10            |
| Orissa           | 01            |
| Telangana        | 02            |
| Rajasthan        | 01            |
| Jammu            | 01            |
| Karnataka        | 03            |
| Haryana          | 01            |
| Uttar Pradesh    | 02            |
| Uttarakhand      | 01            |
| Total            | 70            |