VIMSAR To Conduct Genome Sequencing To Detect New Covid Variants Among Infected Students

In a bid to detect the presence of any new Covid-19 variants among the 57 infected persons in its premises in Sambalpur, Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR) will conduct the genome sequencing of as many as 21 swab samples. 

As per sources, of the 57 infected, swab samples of 21 students will be collected today and sent to Institute of Life Sciences in Bhubaneswar tomorrow for genome sequencing.

"Most of the students have taken the second dose of vaccination for Covid-19. We wonder how such a large number of students got infected despite getting both the doses. We are conducting the genome sequencing to know the presence of any new kind of Covid-19 variants among the infected students," said VIMSAR Superintendent Professor Lalmohan Nayak.

"Almost all the infected students are asymptomatic and they didn't have any severity. We will collect 21 swab samples from them which will be sent to Bhubaneswar by tomorrow," said Nayak.

Meanwhile, another employee of VIMSAR, who was also staying in the hostel, has tested positive taking the total number of infections to 57. He is also stated to be asymptomatic.

Sambalpur district administration has declared several hostels and staff quarters of Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR) as micro containment zone and buffer zones after a number of students tested positive for Covid-19 recently.

(Edited by Rashmi Ranjan Mohanty)