Around 81% of the 401 fresh samples that the state of Punjab sent for genome sequencing have tested positive for the UK variant, which seems to be driving a second wave of COVID-19 infections in the state.

Punjab’s COVID nodal officer, Dr Rajesh Bhaskar, stated that as Delhi’s National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) identified that 81% of the samples have the B 1.1.7 variant, it is highly likely that the UK strain is behind the fresh surge in cases in Punjab. In order to determine if the highly infectious strain is fueling the surge, the state government is going to escalate the size of samples to be sent for genome sequencing. Additionally, samples from patients who died of COVID-19 will also be sent for genome sequencing… (ET Healthworld – TNN, March 24, 2021)