Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal inaugurates genome sequencing machine at the genetic lab of LNJP Hospital

New Delhi:Delhi Chief Minister Shri Arvind Kejriwal inaugurated the SARS CoV2 Genome Sequencing facility in LNJP Hospital on Wednesday, the third such facility in North India. CM Shri Kejriwal stated that through this machine, we will be able to identify and analyse all the variants of COVID-19 for any future waves or spreads in Delhi. He added that if we get to know the variants on time, we’ll be able to strategise our preparations well and it will help in taking the right actions. Until now, we were dependent on National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for this. This SARS CoV2 Genome Sequencing facility is being set up in LNJP and ILBS as a part of Delhi government’s preparations to tackle the possible third wave of COVID-19. The Genetic Analyzer machine that enables genome sequencing of COVID-19 virus variants installed in LNJP Hospital and Maulana Azad Medical College. Health Minister Shri Satyendar Jain and LNJP Director Shri Suresh Kumar joined CM Kejriwal in initiating the launch of Genome Sequencing facility in LNJP hospital. The CM further stated that he appeals to the public that while activities are being opened, the people of Delhi should follow social distancing and take the right precautions, else COVID-19 might spread again. 

In his inaugural address, CM Shri Kejriwal stated, “We have been constantly reading in the newspapers that new variants and mutations of COVID-19 are emerging every day. So as to get our samples tested, we were dependent upon the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the lab of the central government. Hence, we have purchased the Genetic Analyser machine for this genome sequencing which is operational from today. Through this machine, we will be able to analyse all the variants of COVID-19 and understand them for any of the future waves or spreads in Delhi, if at all they are witnessed. If we get to know the variant on time, we will be able to strategise our preparations well and it will be helpful in taking the right actions. We did not have any such facility until today. From today, it is being installed in the LNJP Hospital. I have been told that this is the third such facility of the machine being installed in North India.”

This genome sequencer facility will be an asset not only for Delhi but for the entire Northern India. CM Shri Kejriwal further added that the people of Delhi will highly benefit from this machine and congratulated the LNJP Hospital and Dr Suresh Kumar and his team for showing such efforts and hard work in such a short span of time. 

The COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing, and new viral variants are rapidly emerging leading to recurrent outbreaks as the COVID-19 pandemic is notorious for undergoing mutations, it is of paramount importance to identify the circulating viral strains, so that contact tracing can be done to check the further spread of variants. SARS CoV2 genome sequencing facilities are being set up at the genetic laboratory, Lok Nayak Hospital and Institute of Liver and Biliary Services as a part of the Delhi government’s preparations to tackle a possible third wave of Covid 19 pandemic. 

This machine would be able to sequence 5 to 7 samples in a day with a turnaround time of about 4 to 5 days. This facility will be mainly for surveillance and public health purposes as identification of variance of concern in interest would be done. 

The facility is being set up to aid and address the larger public interest considering the case fatality and re-emergence of COVID-19 outbreaks due to different SARS CoV2 strains.