The mutant strain of the coronavirus, which was just recently reported in Britain, will now be studied at Jaipur’s Sawai Man Singh Government Hospital, with genetic sequencing and testing of the spike protein. SMS Hospital, which has been conducting approximately 6,000 RT-PCR on a regular basis, is currently developing this study facility at its microbiology laboratory.
SMS Hospital’s study facility to commence operations shortly
As per reports, the analysis samples will be collected from the COVID-19 positive patients returning from Britain and other European countries. The study facility will commence its operations shortly and as per reports, it will detect the “mutation in SARS-CoV-2 by testing spike protein and the specific genes which were targeted as part of the screening of the infection cases”. The SMS Hospital was also tagged as the first medical institution to use hydroxychloroquine and anti-HIV drugs to treat a few COVID-19 patients earlier this year.
A major chunk of these British tourists have arrived in Jaipur, followed by Jodhpur & Ajmer
The Rajasthan government is in the face of a nightmare, as they are now tasked with the tracking of over 800 British tourists who have entered 28 districts of the state in the last one-week while reports of the mutant strain of COVID-19 have gushed in. A major chunk of these British tourists have arrived in Jaipur (333) which is followed by Jodhpur (73), Ajmer (70), Alwar (48), Udaipur (43), Kota (39), Jhunjhunu (24), Ganganagar (38), Rajsamand (35) and many more, said health officials.
Jaipur’s Chief Medical Health Officer, Narottam Sharma, was quoted saying, “The screening and sampling work of these UK tourists have started. We are monitoring all those who have arrived from the UK. In three-four days, we shall be able to reach out to every single tourist from the UK who entered the Pink City.”
CMHOs have been directed to formulate rapid response teams
Additional Director (Health) Raviprakash Sharma, stated that they have forwarded the details to District Collectors and directed them to ensure isolation and testing of the tourists. “The department is on its toes and there is no need to panic,” he added. All CMHOs have been directed to formulate rapid response teams and survey the British tourists by tracking them to hotels and houses, even where there are bed and breakfast options. The idea is to quarantine them at the earliest, the official said.