PANAJI
Total 38 samples of the 40, which were sent to Pune's National Centre for Cell Science for genome sequencing, are of the Delta variant of Covid-19 and two are of the Kappa variant, the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) informed.
To date, 73 of the total 122 samples of the second wave sent to NCCS have been received, of which 87.67 per cent are of Delta variant and 10.95 per cent are Kappa. One is tested for the Alpha variant.
According to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, till June 23, a total of 26 samples tested in Goa were found positive for the Delta variant in Goa but not a single Delta plus variant had been detected.
“It is a known fact that the second wave in Goa was because of the Delta variant,” opines a doctor from South Goa.
Pointing out that Delta is the most transmissible of the variant of Covid virus and is found in 85 countries, and according to WHO it is spreading rapidly among unvaccinated populations.
Dr Nitish Kerkar, an occupational health physicist from Margao, has cautioned, “We need to take more precautions than that were taken during the 2nd wave. Hand sanitization and masks are important but social distancing will be the most important factor to prevent the spread of Delta variant because even very short contact can transmit the disease from one person to the other.”
