Covid-19 patients admitted to private hospitals across Mumbai, are now part of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)’s genome sequencing process. The report of the samples taken last week is expected early next week. Genome sequencing is crucial to understand the changes in the structure of the virus over time.

 It is a method to determine the genetic make-up of an organism. It helps study and ascertain the types of variants infecting people. Suresh Kakani, additional municipal commissioner, said, “This time, we have included patients with a long stay in private hospitals. We have collected around 370 samples.”