The INSACOG noted that Delta (B.1.617.2 and AY.x) continues to be the main VOC in India and no new variant VOI or VOC have been noted in India.
The Delta variant, which was first found in India in October 2020, led to the devastating second wave of the coronavirus pandemic in the country.
What is AY4.2?
AY.4.2 is a descendant of the Delta variant of COVID-19. The Delta variant, also known as B.1.617.2, was first identified in India in October 2020.
The AY.4.2 sub-lineage contains 2 mutations in its spike protein — A222V and Y145H.
It is dubbed “Delta Plus” and now named VUI-21OCT-01 by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)).
What is Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Consortia (INSACOG)?
Coordinated by: Department of Biotechnology (DBT) along with MoH&FW, ICMR, and CSIR
The consortium will ascertain the status of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 in the country.
INSACOG will have a high level Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee.
It will have a Scientific Advisory Group for scientific and technical guidance.
Aim: To monitor the genomic variations in the SARS-CoV-2 on a regular basis through a multi-laboratory network.
This vital research consortium will also assist in developing potential vaccines in the future.
The consortium will also establish a sentinel surveillance for early detection of genomic variants with public health implication, and determine the genomic variants in the unusual events/trends (super-spreader events, high mortality/morbidity trend areas etc.)
