Centre was unhappy with Karnataka getting the genomic sequencing of the two cases done at a private lab in Bengaluru; subsequently, NIMHANS was tasked with the work and confirmed the variant
BENGALURU:
It’s been a mixed bag for Karnataka over the past week. First, the state earned the dubious distinction of discovering the country’s first two Omicron cases (not forgetting that Karnataka had also reported India’s first-ever Covid-19 death way back in early 2020). Then, Karnataka officials went into overdrive and got the genomic sequencing of the two suspect cases done at a private lab in Bengaluru, which confirmed the presence of the dreaded Omicron variant.
However, a displeased Centre directed Karnataka to get the cases retested at a Centrally empanelled lab and that too was followed through by state government, with the retest confirming the Omicron variant. This quick adjustment to the Centre’s demand shows the state government in a favourable light, all said and done.
Also Read: Karnataka’s dubious ‘first’: South African national detected with Omicron
Sources told TheBengaluruLive that the technical advisory committee set up by the government of India and health officials deputed by the Centre were unhappy with the Karnataka government’s move to get the genomic sequencing of the two cases done by a private laboratory which conducts such tests free of charge.
The two Covid-positive cases – a 66-year-old South African who has already left the country on November 27 and a 46-year old doctor working with Jayadeva Cardiology Institute who had no foreign travel history – were confirmed as Omicron-infected after genomic sequencing at the private laboratory in Bengaluru 2 days ago. But it did not sit well with officials of the Central government who expressed their displeasure at Karnataka officials getting the genomic sequencing done at a private lab.
Lab’s free services
In fact, BBMP has been taking the help of this very same centre, Strand Laboratory, which offers free genomic sequencing in the Bengaluru limits and has conducted more than 1,000-plus such genomic sequencing tests along with another private laboratory, Molecular Health Lab.
BBMP officials had sent the two persons’ samples to Strand Laboratory, which confirmed the Omicron variant in both cases. The results were shared with the Central government, but the latter refused to recognize the report and ordered officials in Karnataka to get the genomic sequencing redone at a laboratory in NIMHANS and another laboratory, NCBS, situated in the GKVK campus.
Following the Centre’s directions, the samples were resent to NIMHANS, which confirmed the two Omicron cases on Thursday afternoon. Later, Union Health Secretary Luv Agarwal announced the results at a presser in New Delhi.
Push for lab’s recognition
The technical advisory group of the Centre has empanelled laboratories for genomic sequencing of samples under the umbrella of the Indian Consortium to Study and Monitor Covid-19 Genomic Sequencing (INSACOG), Now, the government of Karnataka is reportedly set to send a proposal to the Centre to recognise Strand Laboratory for the purpose of genomic sequencing, as the lab is fully dependent on CSR funds and does not charge a penny to government agencies.
ಇದನ್ನೂ ಓದಿ: ರಾಜ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಒಮಿಕ್ರಾನ್ ಪ್ರಕರಣ ವರದಿ: ನಾಳೆ ತಜ್ಞರೊಂದಿಗೆ ಸಭೆ
Also Read: Omicron cases in Karnataka: CM to tap experts on Friday
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