With the second wave of Covid 19 striking across India, the death rate has been alarmingly growing. However, as per the latest study, thousands of asymptomatic patients are fast transmitting the pandemic virus which could put the country under halt if not controlled soon.
Experts Warn Triple Mutant Indian Strain
As per the data released by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), India has seen over 400 cases of the UK Strain and 76 cases of the Indian double mutants that were found in Delhi itself. Across the nation, almost 11 percent of samples have shown variants of concern.
ALSO READ: EU Announces New Covid 19 Vaccine Campaign Goal, Secures 1.8 Billion Vaccines Supply
This further poses the threat of double and now a triple mutant Indian strain. Until now, a total of 1,644 cases of the UK strain have been found in India. Along with 112 cases of the South African strain, one of the Brazillian strains and 732 cases of the double mutant in India.
Sujeet Kumar Singh, Director of, NCDC during a webinar on Friday said that the UK strain is directly related to the Delhi surge. So far, the national capital has shown both the UK variant and B1617 (double mutation). And the scenario is yet to be studied.
The B1616 variant was first found in Maharashtra. It contains mutations of two different virus variants; E484Q and L452R. The third mutation evolves from the double mutation where three different Covid variants form a new variant.
So far Maharashtra, Delhi, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh have shown samples of the triple mutant varieties.
Mutations May Adapt To The Environment
Senior Pulmonologist, KIMS hospital, Hyderabad said that the second wave of the coronavirus is more dangerous than the first one in India. The mutant virus is more infectious and causes a widespread infection which further leads to more mortality and morbidity.
Furthermore, these mutations may result in virus variants that may show better adaptability to the environment they are born in. Studies suggest that the SARS-CoV2 which caused the Covid 19 infection evolves at a much slower rate than influenza or HIV viruses. However, since the spread of the infection is rising, India has noted an emergence of numerous viral variants.
ALSO READ: Gzb Gurdwara “Oxygen Langar” provides O2 to Covid patients
Talking about the spread of the virus, Dr Sumant Mantri, Senior Consultant Pulmonologist at Apollo Hospital, Bengaluru said that the new strains are more infectious. She said that a lot of asymptomatic patients are transmitting the virus. Some people are a bit complacent about wearing facemasks and maintaining social distance.
