2 cases of new Covid variant found in Bengaluru

By NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Two cases of the new highly-contagious Omicron subvariant BA.2 have been detected in Bengaluru.

This has spurred the State health department into action. It has intensified measures to tackle the variant, which is said to be 10 times more contagious than the Omicron strain.

Authorities have decided to increase the number of tests in the State, particularly in the populous capital region. A rise in Covid-19 infections are being reported from Mahadevapura and East Zones, where most major IT companies are based.

CN Manjunath, director of Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, Bengaluru on Saturday told news agency IANS that Covid variants BA.2.10 and BA.2.12 have been found in the state. BA.2 variants were earlier found in New Delhi and Mumbai as well.

Manjunath said that there was a possibility of a fourth Covid wave beginning in Karnataka in three to four weeks, and the BA.2 variant might be responsible for the surge. However, the number of people getting admitted to hospitals this time around will be fewer than before, but the infection will spread rapidly, Manjunath said.

“There are no restrictions in place in the State now and all activities have resumed just like in the pre-Covid period. This is going to result in a spike in Covid cases in another two weeks. People need to be cautious,” he warned. Those with comorbidities need to be cautious, while wearing masks should again be made mandatory, Manjunath added. He also advised people not to neglect symptoms of fever, cough and cold and get tested at the earliest.