Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Friday asked the departments concerned to step up Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) to expeditiously identify cases of new COVID variant and to fast track the project for execution of the MoU with ICMR for Regional Institute of Virology, Mohali.

Though no fresh cases of Delta Plus variant (apart from two reported earlier based on May sampling) had been identified in the State, the Chief Minister directed that the Whole Genome Sequencing Lab at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Patiala, coming up with the support of PATH, must become functional this month.

PATH has informed that the machine is likely to be installed by July 25, the Chief Minister was apprised. Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL) at GMC Patiala has applied for registration with the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) — a national multi-agency consortium of Genome Sequencing Laboratories (RGSLs), established by the Centre on December 30 last year for sequencing and analysis of genome data.

As per the Centre’s guidelines, Punjab has identified 10 sentinel sites and sending at least 15 samples per site every 15 days for whole genome sequencing. Positive samples of post vaccination, re-infection cases, death cases, severe cases, clustering etc are being sent for WGS, the meeting was informed.

PILOT PROJECT OF DRY SWAB TESTING AT GMC PATIALA FROM NEXT WEEK

Reviewing the COVID situation, the Chief Minister noted with satisfaction that the State was also starting Dry Swab Testing, with a pilot at GMC Patiala next week.  Sensitivity of the dry swab variant method is 79 percent and specificity is 99 percent when compared with standard RT-PCR test as the gold standard. Considering its lesser cost and quick turn-around, the dry swab variant method can be used as a screening tool only in settings where automated RNA extraction is not available.

Rs 380 CR FOR PREPARATION OF POSSIBLE THIRD COVID SURGE

Even as the second surge continued to abate in the State, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Friday approved Rs 380 crore to be spent by the Health and Medical Education Departments in preparing for a possible third wave of the Covid pandemic. The Chief Minister, at a virtual review meeting of the COVID situation in the state, also gave go ahead for filling of 674 GDMO, 283 MO (Specialists); 2000 Staff Nurses posts, along with 330 faculty posts in Patiala and Amritsar Medical Colleges. He also asked the departments to bring the proposal for any additional posts needed to the Cabinet to ensure that all vacant posts are filled at the earliest.

The Rs 380 crore amount would be spent on PSA oxygen plants, MGPS Load enhancement and package substations, cryogenic liquid medical oxygen tanks, as well as BLS Ambulances amongst others.

Asserting that funds have never been allowed to become a constraint in the State Government’s response to COVID, the Chief Minister made it clear that funds will continue to be made available even in the future, as per requirement. The state was ready for the third wave, with preparations being made for 25 percent more patients than in the second wave, he added.

The Chief Minister directed the departments to ensure testing at minimum 40,000 a day, with smart testing to ensure timely information on any upsurge.

Appreciating the detailed Surveillance strategy prepared by the Health and Medical Education departments, in consultation with experts, for prevention and containment of the third wave, the Chief Minister said that GIS-based surveillance and prevention tools will be used with an auto trigger mechanism for localised restrictions in the first instance.

Regional or state-wide restrictions will be unveiled in the second instance if the need arises, he said, adding that districts will be categorised, on the basis of risk levels, into three categories, enabling districts to implement restrictions for containment on scientific basis.

The Chief Minister directed that data cells in each district be activated for collection and analysis of data.

Chief Secretary Vini Mahajan informed the meeting that funds and Oxygen plants have been provided as necessary to ensure that there is no shortage.