Goa to soon house a Genome-sequencing Laboratory for locating mutant COVID strains

Amid Goa's tryst with the second wave of the COVID pandemic, the medical authorities are finding it difficult to detect the specific COVID-19 strains in the affected individuals. In order to resolve this situation, the state Health Minister Vishwajit Rane announced on Friday that the officials are trying to procure all the necessary equipment for the establishment of a genome sequencing laboratory in the state.

Genome Sequencing Lab to enable easier identification of COVID strains

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Currently, the samples are sent to the Pune-based National Institute of Virology (NIV) and the entire process becomes very strenuous. Speaking about this, the Health Minister said, "NIV samples not just take 10 to 15 days to return, some samples are not returned at all." He further informed that only five cases of the more contagious COVID strain from the UK have been detected in the state so far. Once the state gets its own Genome sequencing lab, the prevalent strains would be located easily, equipping the government to set up comprehensive guidelines and protocol.

State government plans for increased vaccination coverage in rural areas

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The Goa Health Minister asked all citizens above 45 years to complete the process of inoculation. "Vaccination reduces the impact of Covid-19 pandemic. Mortality is brought down. It builds your immunity," affirmed the Minister. He further informed that the state government is planning to implement an awareness and outreach program to ensure that the vaccine reaches all eligible people in the villages. For this purpose, Block level officers shall be asked to take part in the exercise. "BLOs will be roped in because they know the people who are above 45 years," said the Minister.