NIV Confirms Omicron RF.5 Variant in AP
The report confirmed that all four samples belonged to the Omicron sub-lineage RF.5.
Vijayawada:The National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, has confirmed the presence of the Omicron sub-lineage RF.5 in Andhra Pradesh, Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav said on Saturday.
The minister said four samples collected from Covid-19 patients in Kadapa district were sent to the Pune-based institute for genome sequencing. The report confirmed that all four samples belonged to the Omicron sub-lineage RF.5.
Director of medical education Dr Vishnu Vardhan said the RF.5 sub-lineage had been reported in several Southeast Asian countries and ruled out any major public health concern. He said there was no need for people to panic.
The health minister said Andhra Pradesh had reported 12 Covid-19 cases up to July 16. He added that the government was setting up special wards in teaching hospitals, procuring Covid-19 testing kits and ensuring the availability of other essential facilities to handle any rise in cases.
