17 laboratories to be added to the Indian Sars-Cov-2 Genomics Consortium Insacog

India will add 17 new laboratories to the Indian Sars-Cov-2 Genomics Consortium (Insacog) network to ramp up genome sequencing of the virus to help understand variants’ spread.

Insacog is a consortium of laboratories which screens samples from states and international travellers to understand the spread and mutations of Sars-Cov-2 virus variants. It was established on January 18 with a partnership between department of biotechnology and health ministry. So far, it has 10 national laboratories as part of its network. At a meeting of the group of ministers on Covid-19, health minister Harsh Vardhan said 17 new laboratories would be added to the Insacog network to increase the number of samples screened and allow for more spatial analysis. At the time of setting up of the network, health ministry had said that Insacog would test 5% of positive samples from states and all positive international travellers. However, the actual samples being tested are smaller.

National Centre for Disease Control director Sujeet Singh gave a detailed presentation on mutations of Sars-Cov-2 and variants of concern being reported in India to the GoM.GoM discussed in detail changes in testing policy. Indian Council of Medical Research director general Balram Bhargava gave a presentation on how the new testing policy with an emphasis on rapid antigen testing would help in mass screening for Covid-19, particularly in peri-urban and rural settings.