Genome sequencing tests show Omicron dominating in Karnataka: Health Minister Sudhakar
Bengaluru(PTI): With COVID-19 cases surging in Karnataka, genome sequencing tests conducted in the state show that Omicron variant is still dominating in the state.
In this regard, Karnataka Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar tweeted on Wednesday stating that most people with COVID-19 symptoms are infected by the BA.2 sub-variant of the Omicron variant of novel coronavirus.
"Which strain is dominating in Karnataka? As per the genome sequencing sample: March 2021 - December 2021: 90.7% Delta January 2022 - April 2022: 87.80% Omicron May 2022 - June 2022: 99.20% Omicron," Sudhakar tweeted.
According to him, amongst the Omicron variants, currently BA.1.1.529 and BA.1 have dipped to 8.60 per cent and 0.04 per cent, respectively.
However, BA.2 sub-lineage has increased from 80.60 per cent to 89.40 per cent since May, the minister tweeted. Sudhakar said the new variants -- BA.3, BA.4 and BA.5 -- are observed to be in their nascent phases.
The data shared by him shows that last year from March to December, Delta and its sub-lineages dominated but this year Omicron was the dominant variant of the novel coronavirus.
The state had on Tuesday reported 738 fresh cases while on Monday there were 530 new infections. There were, however, zero fatalities on both days.
According to the health officials, the latest surge in cases is due to Omicron, which is not a deadly variant as compared to Delta that had wreaked havoc in 2021.
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At least 17,000 security personnel to be deployed for Champions Trophy in Pakistan
Lahore, Jan 22 (PTI): At least 17,000 security personnel would be deployed for the ICC Champions Trophy matches in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi from February 19.
According to sources, the Punjab government has started preparations to provide security round the clock for the participating teams, covering the team hotel as well as the match venues in Lahore and Rawalpindi.
“The Punjab government will deploy some 12,500 officers and other security personnel for the matches and for the teams,” an official said.
He added that 7,600 police and security personnel including special commandos will be on duty for matches in Lahore, while 4,500 officers, including 411 from the Special Branch, will oversee security in Rawalpindi.
The official said that snipers and aerial monitoring will be carried out during the tournament with support from the Army if required.
He said the paramilitary Rangers personnel would be on active duty with the police.
In Karachi, a spokesperson for the Sindh police said that the commissioner had already held meetings to oversee security arrangements for the matches at the National Stadium.
“Plans are being drawn up and at least 5000 or more security personnel including units of the Sindh police would be deployed for the matches, on routes and at team hotels.”
Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup in 2023 but staged only four games with all the other matches held in Sri Lanka after India refused to send its team to Pakistan which they have also done for the Champions Trophy.
This time the PCB will be hosting a minimum of 11 Champions Trophy matches and perhaps even the final and before that it will host New Zealand and South Africa in a short tri-series in Lahore and Karachi. India will their games in Dubai.
Karachi will not only host the opening match of the Champions Trophy on February 19 but also two games of the tri-series on February 12 and 14.
