UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been invited as keynote guest to the Indian Republic Day parade (archive)
New Delhi:
It is possible that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s visit to India (he will be the main guest at the Republic Day parade in Delhi next month) due to concerns about the mutated version of the new coronavirus spreading rapidly in that country, Dr. Chaand Nagpaul, the chairman of the British Medical Association Council told NDTV on Tuesday.
He said that while it was still too early for the British government to decide on Johnson’s visit, the trip “may not be possible, especially if this level of infection and spread continues.”
“Obviously we cannot make a decision today about something in five weeks … the changes in the reality of the virus happen day by day. But one consideration is that the trip to India may not be possible, particularly if this level of infection and spread continues, “Dr. Nagpaul told NDTV.
“But if the lockdown in London and elsewhere (the UK capital and other areas are subject to extremely strict Level 4 restrictions) controls the spread of the virus, then it can be,” he said.
The mutant strain, with at least 17 changes in its viral genetic load, was detected in south-east England in September. This strain, B.1.1.7, offers no change in clinical severity or mortality, but is 70% more transmissible, which, according to Dr. Nagpaul, makes containing it more of a challenge.
The strain, whose cases have already been seen in Italy, Denmark, the Netherlands and Australia, has led several other countries, including India, to temporarily ban flights to and from the UK, and its rapid spread has also seriously affected the availability of hospitals. Beds.
London, the capital of the United Kingdom, and parts of the south-east are under strict Level 4 restrictions
Dr Nagpaul said occupancy levels in hospitals (including non-Covid facilities) were 90 per cent, and that an extended period of lockdown may be required in the UK (and other countries where may have spread) to contain the virus.
“We have a serious problem because England’s hospitals are receiving more Covid patients now than in the first wave. Many hospitals are at full capacity; last week 44 ambulances had to be redirected to remote facilities because there were no beds in the hospitals. locals, “he explained.
The UK has started inoculating its population (with the Pfizer vaccine) against the Covid virus, but the mutant strain has raised fears that it may be immune to the drugs. Dr. Nagpaul said early scientific advice said it should be effective and the priority now was to increase vaccination efforts.
He also emphasized that measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus remain the same, including maintaining social distance, wearing face masks and washing hands regularly.
Today, the Indian government said that the mutated strain, until now, had not been detected in the country.
However, Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, chief scientist at the World Health Organization (WHO), told NDTV on Monday that the strain may be present in several countries, without their authorities knowing.
Last week the Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan urged people not to panic over the new UK strain and said the situation is under control. “Right now, I would say, don’t bother with imaginary situations … The government is fully alert,” he said.
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