PEKIN, IL – Reditus Laboratories in Pekin identified 361 additional cases of the B.1.617.2 variant – also known as the Delta variant – and its sub-variants during a sequencing run on Aug. 12. These encompassed 99% of the entire sequenced positives.

Reditus CEO Dr. Aaron Rossi said on Friday night “The Delta variant (B.1.617.2) is currently the most predominate SARS-CoV-2 circulating within the U.S. and are supported by these data within our testing area. However, we are also seeing a large number of Delta sub-variants with some only beginning to be mentioned elsewhere. Specifically, the AY.12 subvariant is not as common in U.S. circulation. However, within our testing population, AY.12 is nearly equivalent in prevalence as the original B.1.617.2. These data suggest that the Delta variant is mutating as quickly as it has risen to the predominate strain.”

Reditus had reported one case of the Delta variant discovered via sequencing in May, two cases in June, 64 on July 16 and 347 on July 29. This means that Reditus has identified 775 cases of the Delta variant.

The majority of the 361 cases identified during the sequencing run on Aug. 12 were from people from throughout Illinois, Rossi said.

Variants are of concern because they have been shown to be potentially more contagious and may have potential resistance to the vaccines. The Delta variant, first identified in India and confirmed in the United States in April, is believed to be more transmissible than previous strains of the virus.

Rossi said his goal in sharing sequencing information from time to time is to keep the public aware of the spreading variants.

Reditus tests nasal samples collected throughout the country for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) using gold-standard PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing. Reditus sequenced the samples using the Illumina NextSeq, which the laboratory began using earlier this year.

Reditus sequencing data is shared with the Illinois Department of Public Health, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and GISAID, a global initiative that provides access to genomic data of influenza viruses and COVID-19.

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Reditus Laboratories is a full-service laboratory company with a heavy focus on molecular diagnostics. Based in Pekin, Illinois, Reditus provides top-tier, accurate anatomical and clinical pathology services, including cytology, histology and molecular testing. Reditus is accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and is certified by the Clinical Laboratory