‘Pocket outbreaks’ of Delta as 11 more samples test positive in Ngp

Nagpur: Experts are calling them ‘pocket outbreaks’ after the Delta variant (B1.617.2) was found in samples of two Kolhapur returnees and nine more Covid positive patients through genome sequencing by CSIR-Neeri, in association with CCMB Hyderabad.
Amid the Delta Plus (AY.1 variant) warnings, Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) had started tracing and placing suspected cases in institutional quarantine since last month.
So far, it has quarantined around 18 persons who had tested Covid positive, along with their family members. Only saline gargle RT-PCR samples are being used for the study. CSIR-Neeri environmental virology lab, led by Krishna Khairnar, has developed the saline gargle RT-PCR method.
The NMC’s move came following the district administration requesting CSIR-Neeri to conduct genome sequencing of eight samples of the Umred family whose members tested positive in quick succession last month. As Neeri-CCMB delivered results within a week, local authorities are now relying on the institutions for aggressive genomic surveillance. This is also helping them take immediate containment policies.
Eight more samples are under study and results awaited.
Municipal commissioner Radhakrishnan B told TOI that it was a big relief that none of the suspected patients had tested positive for Delta Plus. “Since Covid cases are less, we are detailing the travel history of groups of people if all of them test positive. In case they have been to Delta Plus-affected areas, we treat them as suspected cases and place them in institutional quarantine even if they have isolation facility at home,” he said.
Radhakrishnan added that genome sequencing is another precaution taken by NMC. “CSIR-Neeri is helping study the samples along with CCMB,” he said.
“Wherever the need arises, we will go for institutional quarantine. We may not give the opportunity of home isolation. Only exceptional cases like pregnant women, children or elderly will be allowed home isolation,” the civic chief said.
TOI asked experts about the significance of Delta variant still infecting groups of people in the district.
Dr Shailesh Mundhada, a pathology and immunology expert, said it is the way a virus evolves. “We may say it is prevalent in a pocket like a family, a building or an area. It is because of local virulence of the strain,” he said.
Pulmonologist Dr Ravindra Sarnaik said the original strain has now been replaced. “It is assumed that whatever infection happened in second wave was due to the Delta variant. Delta is still prevalent. These are local spurts which can get converted into third wave too, due to Delta strain itself,” he said.
Infectious diseases specialist Dr Ashwini Tayde doubted if there can again be an outbreak due to Delta variant. “Those not immune will be at risk and need to take precautions keeping in mind its high infectivity factor. Some new variants (mutations) cropping up and causing trouble can’t be discounted,” she said.
Zika alert: Admin keeps close watch
The local administration is keeping a close watch on patients with fever and other symptoms akin to Zika virus. The district is witnessing a spike in dengue cases too. The administration has started sending some samples of these dengue cases for genome sequencing to NIV Pune to check for zika virus, officials said.