The center implores states to sequence more of the positive samples' genomes.

 Covid cases are increasing in China, and the center implores states to sequence more of the positive samples' genomes.

The designated INSACOG Genome Laboratories that are daily mapped to states and UTs, according to the Centre, are to receive samples from all positive instances.

In response to an increase in instances in neighboring China and other countries, the Centre on Tuesday instructed all states to expand genome sequencing of Covid-positive samples, according to the news agency PTI.

Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan stated in a letter to States and Union Territories that "it is essential to gear up the whole genome sequencing of positive case samples to track the variants through Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) network in light of the sudden surge of cases being witnessed in Japan, the United States of America, Republic of Korea, Brazil, and China."

All states are urged, according to Bhushan, to make sure that samples from all positive instances are forwarded to the designated INSACOG Genome Laboratories, which are routinely mapped to states and UTs. He claimed that if newer variations are present in the country, such an exercise will allow for their prompt detection.

To find and contain epidemics of new SARS-CoV-2 variants, Bhushan urged early detection, isolation, testing, and prompt management of suspected and confirmed cases.

He emphasized India's five-pronged approach, which includes test-track-treat-vaccinate and adherence to COVID-appropriate behavior, and its success in limiting the transmission of the coronavirus to 1,200 cases on a weekly basis. He added that the COVID-19 public health challenge still exists worldwide, with about 35 lakh cases reported weekly.

He also emphasized the significance of keeping an eye on the trends of the existing varieties, making reference to the operational guidelines for the revised surveillance plan for Covid released by the ministry in June of this year.

Covid infections have increased dramatically in China recently, thanks to novel Omicron strain variations. The country, which let up its strict anti-virus regulations earlier this month, recorded seven virus-related deaths in the past two days. According to reports, the highly transmissible Omicron strains BA.5.2 and BF.7 are currently affecting cities in China.

Can COVID lead to long-term liver damage?

According to a recent study, liver damage may extend much beyond the COVID infection and not merely result in a brief rise in liver enzymes during the infection. Dr. Akash Shukla, Director and Consultant, Department of Hepatology, Sir H N Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research Centre, claims that the virus has a unique attraction for the cells that line the bile duct both inside and outside of the liver.

According to a recent study, COVID-19 infection increases liver stiffness and may result in long-term liver damage. Firouzeh Heidari, a post-doctoral research fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, presented the findings at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) and stated, "Our study is part of emerging evidence that COVID-19 infection may lead to liver injury that lasts well after acute illness."

Since liver stiffness is an indication of liver damage, such as inflammation or fibrosis, the study, which was published in scitechdaily.com, gains significance. Furthermore, if the fibrosis worsens, it may result in liver cancer and liver failure.

In the retrospective investigation, two control groups of individuals with a history of COVID-19 infection were evaluated for liver stiffness. At Massachusetts General Hospital, all patients had ultrasonic shear wave elastography between 2019 and 2022. A specialized method called shear wave elastography employs sound waves to gauge the tissue's stiffness.

The COVID-19 virus has a unique affinity to cholangiocytes, cells that line the bile duct both within and outside the liver, according to Dr. Akash Shukla, Director and Consultant, Department of Hepatology, Sir H N Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research Centre, who is explaining the findings. In addition, after a COVID infection, the liver—the body's largest immunological organ—becomes the focus of antigen-antibody complexes. As a result, in more than half of patients, COVID tends to impact the liver.

The liver ailment is typically asymptomatic, and liver enzymes like SGOT and SGPT are temporarily elevated to diagnose it.

On rare occasions, liver damage is more serious and might result in acute hepatitis and jaundice. "Patients who already have cirrhosis, in particular, run the danger of their diseases getting worse after receiving COVID. When this happens to a patient with well-controlled cirrhosis, decompensation may result. It results in ascites (an accumulation of fluid in the belly) worsening in about one-fourth of patients, which is challenging to treat. There have also been a few instances of liver abscesses after COVID infection, according to Dr. Shukla. The study implies that the harm to the liver may extend much beyond the COVID infection and may not merely be limited to a transitory spike in liver enzymes during the infection.