The second wave of coronavirus is already wreaking havoc in the country. With the shortage of vaccines and collapsing health system in several states, India soon will be crawling on its feet.
Meanwhile, the National Institute of Virology has detected a new variant of coronavirus. This double mutant of coronavirus is named B.1.617.
What is B.1.617?
The researchers have found a new variant of coronavirus that carries two mutations- E484Q and L452R. These mutants are generally found separately in other SARS variants. However, this time researchers have reported these variants together for the first time in India. This is a matter of concern, as this variant is more infectious and has a high potential of removing antibodies from the body.
Where is B.1.617 detected?
The double mutation variant is first time found in Maharashtra. Various samples were collected from several districts of the state, later all found to be infected with this new strain, now named B.1.617.
Also Read: Head of akhara Swami Kapil Dev dies of covid19, had come to Kumbh for royal bath
So far, Amravati, Nagpur, Akola, Wardha, Pune, Thane, Aurangabad and Chandrapur districts have shown the presence of this coronavirus variant.
How harmful is variant B.1.617?
So far, there is no evidence of its virulence. The researchers and doctors suggest that the variant spreads faster and is more infectious. Most of the patients can do well under home quarantine, however, it can easily infect the family.
Dr. Shashank Joshi, an expert of the Maharashtra Covid Task Force said, “Most patients are asymptomatic and that is a good indication. But in absolute numbers so many cases have out a burden on health infrastructure.”
The two strains found in this double mutant variant have high transmission rates, making it more infectious and deadly. According to the health ministry, “the new variant can increase infection rates and easily surpass immune defense.”