Delta variant dominant in Nagaland

September 5, 2021 25 Views No Comment

DIMAPUR, SEP 5 (NPN): The SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant of concern has now become the most dominant strain in the state, based on the data released by the state Health & Family Welfare department on Saturday.

In its weekly bulletin, the department said that as per genome sequencing of samples of Covid-19 cases, 99% of samples were found to be of the Delta Variant of Concern. (See table)

The state received reports of 286 samples, out of which 283 were identified as Delta Variant (B.1.617.2)

While Delta variant of COVID-19 is said to be more transmissible and contagious than the original strain, the World Health Organization (WHO) has termed it as a ‘Variant of Concern’ (VoC). According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Delta variant was more infectious and leading to increased transmissibility when compared with other variants, even in some vaccinated individuals.

Citing the case of Israel, where the country is now battling a third wave with the surge of the delta variant despite vaccinating 78% of eligible beneficiaries, H&FW cautioned that vaccines alone will not be enough to stop transmission especially of the delta variant. “There should be enforcement of COVID-19 appropriate behaviors (mask, hand hygiene and avoiding crowd) along with maximum restrictions on social and mass gatherings,” it stressed.

Spike in weekly cases: The department expressed concern that the state witnessed a 12% increase in weekly cases along with 12 deaths (Dimapur- 6, Kohima-5 and Mokokchung-1).

Though the overall weekly sample positivity rate remained below 5% in the state, except in two districts reporting over 5% during the week– Phek (9.4%) and Kohima (5.5%).

Increase in hospitalisation: The weekly new Covid-19 hospital admissions also witnessed an increased by 27% as 70 patients were admitted with moderate or severe disease– Dimapur (38) and Kohima (14) reported the maximum admissions. Despite several reminders and warnings, H&FW pointed out that late hospitalisation with very advanced symptoms was a major factor for Covid fatalities.

State logs 58 fresh cases: Nagaland on Saturday recorded 58 fresh Covid-19 positive cases while no deaths were reported during the day. Of the fresh cases, 31 were from Dimapur, seven each in Kohima and Phek, five each in Peren and Wokha, two in Kiphire and one in Mokokchung, taking the total caseload to 30302.

Source: http://www.nagalandpost.com/delta-variant-dominant-in-nagaland/239646.html