TN gets Genetic Analysis Lab to study CoV2 mutants

The virus that causes SARS Cov-2 infection undergoes genomic changes, which further intensifies the impact of the infection. Genetic analysis is required to detect such mutations in the virus. Till now, samples were sent to Union government-run genetic analysis laboratories in Karnataka and Telangana, which often led to delay in getting the results. That is when the State government decided to set up its own laboratory.

According to officials from the State Health Department, the laboratory can detect mutated coronaviruses at an early stage. This would help take appropriate preventive measures, which in turn would reduce the impact of the pandemic in the State.

Chief Minister Stalin also handed over appointment orders to nine persons selected for the post of Skilled Assistant Grade-II through the Medical Personnel Selection Board and to 82 persons for the post of assistants in the State Health Transport Department.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Ma Subramanian said even after the success of the mega COVID vaccination drive on Sunday, Tamil Nadu was still vulnerable as a large number of the eligible population were still waiting for the first dose.

The State could not relax on its achievements, he added in a letter to Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, citing the need for extra vaccine quota from the central government.

The department has planned to organise mega drives every week so that the entire population was covered by at least one dose, he said, requesting the Union Health Minister to allocate 50 lakh vaccines per week in addition to the present supply so that everyone in the State was inoculated with at least one dose by the end of October.