Editor's Pick: Omicron in community transmission: INSACOG

Omicron is now in community transmission in India and has become dominant in multiple-metros, where new cases have been rising exponentially, the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) said in its latest bulletin on Sunday. With over 3,05,220 cases, an 18 % increase compared to a week ago, and with the total number of infections at 3.92 crore, the admission of community transmission, the first time since the pandemic broke out in the country nearly two years ago, is significant. INSACOG, an initiative by the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry, the Department of Biotechnology and others, is a consortium of 38 laboratories monitoring the genomic variations in SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus causing COVID-19. The two-page bulletin, dated January 10 and released on Sunday, says while most Omicron cases so far had been asymptomatic or mild, hospitalisations and ICU cases have gone up in the current wave. Given the strain on medical resources during the second wave, the threat level this time remains unchanged. Meanwhile, the INSACOG, in its January 3 bulletin, had warned that the spread of Omicron in India was now expected to be through internal transmission, not by foreign travelers and a revised sampling and sequencing strategy of INSACOG is being worked out to address genomic surveillance objectives in the wake of changing scenario of virus infection. The recently reported new SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.640.2—lineage was being monitored, it added and said there was no evidence of rapid spread and while it had features of immune escape, it was currently not a variant of concern. “So far, no case has been detected in India,” the bulletin said. The community transmission once again highlights the importance of vaccination which is a must for breaking transmission and explains why The Hindu has led with the story on the front page. The challenges of a large population being uncovered can be met only by an aggressive vaccination drive by the government. Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Head over to our newsletter subscription page to sign up for Editor's Pick and more. Click hereThe Hindu's Editorial False dichotomy: On merit versus reservation A stellar fallacy: On hasty assessment of environmental costs Try out The Hindu's daily news quiz What does Beating Retreat signify? 1. The unfurling of the national flag 2. The end of Republic Day celebrations 3. The beginning of Republic Day parade 4. The beginning of Republic Day celebrations To find out the answer and play the full quiz, click here. [logo] Editor's Pick 24 JANUARY 2022 [The Hindu logo] In the Editor's Pick newsletter, The Hindu explains why a story was important enough to be carried on the front page of today's edition of our newspaper. [Arrow]( [Open in browser]( [Mail icon]( [More newsletters]( Omicron in community transmission: INSACOG [Omicron in community transmission: INSACOG] [Omicron is now in community transmission in India]( and has become dominant in multiple-metros, where new cases have been rising exponentially, the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) said in its latest bulletin on Sunday. With over 3,05,220 cases, an 18 % increase compared to a week ago, and with the total number of infections at 3.92 crore, the admission of community transmission, the first time since the pandemic broke out in the country nearly two years ago, is significant. INSACOG, an initiative by the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry, the Department of Biotechnology and others, is a consortium of 38 laboratories monitoring the genomic variations in SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus causing COVID-19. The two-page bulletin, dated January 10 and released on Sunday, says while most Omicron cases so far had been asymptomatic or mild, hospitalisations and ICU cases have gone up in the current wave. Given the strain on medical resources during the second wave, the threat level this time remains unchanged. Meanwhile, the INSACOG, in its January 3 bulletin, had warned that the spread of Omicron in India was now expected to be through internal transmission, not by foreign travelers and a revised sampling and sequencing strategy of INSACOG is being worked out to address genomic surveillance objectives in the wake of changing scenario of virus infection. The recently reported new SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.640.2—lineage was being monitored, it added and said there was no evidence of rapid spread and while it had features of immune escape, it was currently not a variant of concern. “So far, no case has been detected in India,” the bulletin said. The community transmission once again highlights the importance of vaccination which is a must for breaking transmission and explains why The Hindu has led with the story on the front page. The challenges of a large population being uncovered can be met only by an aggressive vaccination drive by the government. [underlineimg] Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Head over to our newsletter subscription page to sign up for Editor's Pick and more. [Click here]( The Hindu's Editorial [Arrow][False dichotomy: On merit versus reservation]( [Arrow][A stellar fallacy: On hasty assessment of environmental costs]( [underlineimg] Try out The Hindu's daily news quiz What does Beating Retreat signify? 1. The unfurling of the national flag 2. The end of Republic Day celebrations 3. The beginning of Republic Day parade 4. The beginning of Republic Day celebrations To find out the answer and play the full quiz, [click here](. [underlineimg] Today's Best Reads [[A chance to support growth, fiscal consolidation] A chance to support growth, fiscal consolidation]( [[Decoding the 2022 elections and the script for 2024] Decoding the 2022 elections and the script for 2024]( [[Solving the Sterlite problem] Solving the Sterlite problem]( [[World Economic Forum | For the rich and powerful] World Economic Forum | For the rich and powerful]( Copyright @ 2021, THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD. If you are facing any trouble in viewing this newsletter, please [try here]( If you do not wish to receive such emails [go here](