Gujarat has come under the spotlight with the discovery of BA. 5-caused infection in the state. It was the second case reported in the country after Telangana. Dr. Urvesh Shah, GCS Medical College stated that though BA.5 is a new variant, it is still classified as Omicron globally. Thus, the tag of VOC-LUM, which means that it requires priority attention. 

BA.5 and BA.4 variants are the cause of the spike in several countries, especially South Africa. He added that BA.5 has four mutations and deletions compared to BA.2 variant, thus making it difficult to detect with S-gene targeting PCR kit. Its transmission rate is also relatively higher.

According to the officials at the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC), they have identified eight sub-variants of the Omicron. However, only 92% of the samples account for primary variants. Another biologist explained that with time the primary variants undergo mutation, though it remains infectious, the severity is nowhere near the Delta Variant.

Source: The Times of India