Tamil Nadu samples showed the presence of the new Omicron variants BA4 and BA5. According, to the Minister for Medical and Family Welfare, in 12 of the hundred and fifty samples dispatched to a lab in Hyderabad, the presence of novel coronavirus was detected, indicating the emergence of new coronavirus variants in the state.

BA4 variant was confirmed among four people, while eight were found to have the BA5 variant, and rest of the samples were found to be BA1 and BA2 variants. All the infected people were in stable condition.

In response to the emergence of COVID-19 clusters in educational institutions, the minister said the virus was largely contained at IIT-Madras and Sathya Sai University, Poonamallee, while 23 COVID-19 positive cases were reported on the Anna University campus and 196 COVID-19 cases were reported on the VIT, Kilambakkam campus until Saturday. Besides educational institutions, COVID-19 cases were detected in residential areas in Chennai, Chengalpet, Kancheepuram, and Tiruvallur districts.

Because the Omicron variant was highly transmissible, the state minister urged residents to follow COVID preventive precautions and be cautious. (ETHealthWorld, June 06, 2022)