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Is Omicron ‘subvariant’ more virulent? Concerns over BA.2 as India reports 530 samples to GISAID

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3 years ago

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Is Omicron ‘subvariant’ more virulent? Concerns over BA.2 as India reports 530 samples to GISAID

British health authorities have identified hundreds of cases of the latest version of the Omicron variant, known as BA.2, amid concerns about its transmissibility. Due to the increasing number of domestic and foreign BA.2 sequences, the UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) has designated the Omicron variant sublineage as a variant under investigation.

To date, 426 cases of Omicron BA.2 have been confirmed in the UK by whole genome sequencing (WGS), with the earliest case reported on 6 December 2021. Of these, 146 were confirmed BA-2 cases. The largest number of Omicron sub-variants reported in London is the UK, followed by the South East (97).

While uncertainty remains about the significance of the viral genome changes, earlier analysis by UKHSA showed an increase in growth rates compared to the original Omicron lineage BA.1.

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“[H] However, in the early stages of variation, the certainty of growth rates is lower and requires further analysis,” the health agency added.

A total of 40 countries have reported 8,040 Omicron sublineage sequences to GISAID, the leading source for open-access influenza and coronavirus genome data. The first sequences were submitted from the Philippines. To date, most samples for BA-.2 have been uploaded from Denmark, with a total of 6,411 sequences. India reported 530 samples of Omicron subvariants, followed by Sweden with 181 and Singapore with 127. Is it more toxic?

UKHSA’s Director of Covid-19 Events Dr Meera Chand said the nature of viruses was to evolve and mutate, so new variants were expected as the pandemic continued.

“To date, there is insufficient evidence to determine whether BA.2 causes more severe disease than Omicron BA.1, but data are limited and UKHSA is continuing to investigate,” Chand said.

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French epidemiologist Antoine Flahault expressed surprise at the rapid spread of the Omicron sub-variant in Denmark, according to AFP.

“(France) expected a spike in pollution in mid-January: it didn’t happen, maybe because of this sub-variant, which seems to spread easily, but is no more virulent than BA.1,” he said, stressing that countries As scientists step up monitoring, it is imperative to remain vigilant about the latest developments.

Citing early observations in India and Denmark, virologist Tom Peacock of Imperial College London said there was no significant difference in severity compared with BA.1.

In a series of tweets, he stressed that “we don’t have a strong control at this time…how much transmission capacity BA.2 might have over BA.1. However, we can make some guesses/early observations.”

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The latest variant should not question the effectiveness of existing vaccines, he added.

Complete News Source : Hindustan Times

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2 ‘Kala Jatheri gang members’ killed in encounter with F’bad cops in Fatehabad

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19 hours ago

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December 21, 2024

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2 ‘Kala Jatheri gang members’ killed in encounter with F’bad cops in Fatehabad

According to the police, the encounter took place after at least four suspects tried to help their close aide escape from police custody
The Faridabad police gunned down two members of the Kala Jatheri gang in an encounter near Fatehabad on Friday, officers said. A constable was injured in the gunfight, they added.

According to the police, the encounter took place after at least four suspects tried to help their close aide escape from police custody.

The identity of one of the deceased was not known, while the other was identified as Ravi (single name), who had 28 cases lodged against him in multiple districts.

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Aman Yadav, assistant commissioner of Police (ACP), Faridabad said the incident occurred when the police van stopped near a roadside eatery on the outskirts of Fatehabad while transporting Ravi back to Faridabad jail after a court appearance in an Arms Act case.

“Four armed individuals attacked the police team, firing multiple rounds to facilitate Ravi’s escape. In retaliation, police returned fire, killing Ravi and another suspect on the spot,” Yadav said.

Constable Sarjeet Yadav suffered a gunshot wound to his left forearm. He was rushed to a civic hospital, where his condition is reported to be stable, said police.

Yadav said that Ravi, who had been lodged in Faridabad jail since April 24, 2023, was being transported after attending an appeal hearing at the Fatehabad court. The ambush, allegedly orchestrated by Ravi’s associates, was intended to secure his release from custody. The police’s swift response thwarted the plan.

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Ravi had a long history of violent crimes, including murder, attempted murder, dacoity, robbery, and Arms Act violations. His activities spanned multiple districts, such as Sonipat, Jind, Rohtak, Faridabad, and Delhi. He was a key member of the Kala Jathedi gang, led by the notorious gangster Sandeep alias Kala Jathedi, who is currently in Tihar Jail.

Kala Jathedi himself is implicated in over a dozen cases across Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. In 2020, he famously escaped from Haryana Police custody during a similar ambush orchestrated by his gang.

ACP Yadav confirmed that police teams are actively investigating to identify the remaining attackers involved in the ambush. “We are working to uncover the identities of the other suspects who participated in the operation. Stringent action will be taken against all involved,” Yadav said.

This encounter is part of an ongoing crackdown on organized crime, with authorities aiming to dismantle gangs operating in the region.

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