Lok Sabha Question No. 1007 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-22
Subject: Cases of BA.4 and BA.5 Subvariants of Omicron
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Ravneet Singh, Su Thirunavukkarasar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1007 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2022

## 'CASES OF BA.4 AND BA.5 SUBVARIANTS OF OMICRON'

## †1007. SHRI RAVNEET SINGH BITTU: SHRI THIRUNAVUKKARASAR SU:

Will the Minister of HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- a) Whether  the  cases  of  BA.4  and  BA.5  sub-variants  of  omicron  have  been  detected  in  the country;
- b) If so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise;
- c) Whether  these  sub-variants  are  associated  with  disease  severity  which  has  increased hospitalization;
- d) If so, the details thereof; and
- e) Steps being taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to prevent the spread of BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variants of omicron and similar other sub-variants in the country?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE ( DR BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)

(a) to (e): Cases of BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variants of omicron has been detected in India. As on 17 th July 2022, a total of 68 cases of BA.4 and 331 cases of BA.5 has been detected in the country.

State/UT wise distribution of cases of BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variants of Omicron is at Annexure I and Annexure II respectively.

According to World Health Organization, there is no evidence to indicate any change in disease severity with BA.4, BA.5 compared to previous sub-lineages of Omicron variant.

Given  the  emergence  of  variants  of  COVID-19  virus  with  variable  transmissibility  and  other public health implications, Union Ministry of Health is following COVID-19 trajectory globally and  in  the  country  along  with  various  Expert  Committees.  In  addition,  INSACOG  network laboratories  are  conducting  whole  genome  sequencing  of  samples  for  detection  of  mutant variants of the virus.

Union Ministry of Health has urged all States/UTs to maintain focus on fivefold strategy of testtrack-treat-  COVID-19  vaccination  and  Adherence  to  COVID-19  Appropriate  Behavior  to prevent the spread of omicron and similar other sub-variants.

Union Ministry of Health provides requisite support to States/UTs to enhance preparedness and response  capacities  against  COVID-19.  Funding  support  has  been  provided  to  States/UTs  for health  system  strengthening  to  meet  any  exigency  due  to  resurgence  of  cases  in  the  country through National Health Mission, State Disaster Response Funds (SDRF), Emergency COVID19  Response  and  Preparedness  packages  and  PM  -  Ayushman  Bharat  Health  Infrastructure Mission.

***

## State/UT wise distribution of cases of BA.4 sub-variants of Omicron detected amongst the samples received in INSACOG network (as on 17 th July, 2022)

Annexure II State/UT wise distribution of cases of BA.5 sub-variants of Omicron detected amongst the

| S. No.   | State/UT       |   No. of BA.4 cases |
|----------|----------------|---------------------|
| 1        | Andhra Pradesh |                   1 |
| 2        | Bihar          |                   1 |
| 3        | Delhi          |                   5 |
| 4        | Gujarat        |                   2 |
| 5        | Maharashtra    |                  13 |
| 6        | Odisha         |                   1 |
| 7        | Tamil Nadu     |                  18 |
| 8        | Telangana      |                  20 |
| 9        | West Bengal    |                   7 |
| Total    | Total          |                  68 |

## samples received in INSACOG network (as on 17 th July, 2022)

| S. No.   | State/UT       |   No. of BA.5 cases |
|----------|----------------|---------------------|
| 1        | Andhra Pradesh |                  18 |
| 2        | Bihar          |                   1 |
| 3        | Delhi          |                  22 |
| 4        | Gujarat        |                  15 |
| 5        | Haryana        |                  10 |
| 6        | Kerala         |                   1 |
| 7        | Ladakh         |                   1 |
| 8        | Madhya Pradesh |                   1 |
| 9        | Maharashtra    |                  36 |
| 10       | Meghalaya      |                   2 |
| 11       | Tamil Nadu     |                 150 |
| 12       | Telangana      |                  28 |
| 13       | Uttar Pradesh  |                   1 |
| 14       | West Bengal    |                  45 |
| Total    | Total          |                 331 |