All the samples that test positive for Covid will be sent to National Institute of Virology in Pune for genome sequencing, the BMC said on Thursday. The state health department has taken this decision in view of fewer cases in the city and other districts. This will save resources and money, as at least 300 samples can be tested for variants in one cycle. The BMC has its own genome-sequencing lab in Kasturba hospital, which helped a lot to identify new variants of Coronavirus. However, it won't be used for genome testing as of now.

Additional Municipal Commissioner Dr Sanjeev Kumar explained, "To run one cycle of genome sequencing, it requires at least 300 samples. Currently we are getting cases in single digits and testing these few samples will be a waste of resources. Other districts are also facing the same issue, so the health department has decided to send all the samples from across the state to Pune for genome sequencing."