The centre said on Wednesday that Genome Sequencing by Indian SARS-CoV-2 Consortium on Genomics (INSACOG) has shown variants of concern and a novel variant of coronavirus in India, reported ANI.

In a statement, the Health Ministry said, “Since INSACOG initiated its work, 771 variants of concerns (VOCs) have been detected in a total of 10,787 positive samples shared by States/UTs.”

It added, “These include 736 samples positive for viruses of the UK (B.1.1.7) lineage. 34 samples were found positive for viruses of the South African (B.1.351) lineage. One sample was found positive for viruses of the Brazilian (P.1) lineage. The samples with these VOCs have been identified in 18 States of the country.”

Established by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on 25 December 2020, INSACOG is a group of 10 National Laboratories. The group has been carrying out genomic sequencing and analysis of circulating coronavirus and correlating epidemiological trends with genomic variants, according to Live Mint. 

The ministry added, “Though VOCs and a new double mutant variant have been found in India, these have not been detected in numbers sufficient to either establish or direct a relationship or explain the rapid increase in cases in some States. Genomic sequencing and epidemiological studies are continuing to further analyse the situation.”