“This mutation of the virus is not affecting the severity of the disease,” said Dr. VK Paul.
New Delhi:
At a time when India is witnessing a decline in active coronavirus cases, a new mutation of the COVID-19 virus strain in the UK has become a ‘super-propagator’ with a transmissibility rate increased by 70%. . However, this mutated and more aggressive strain of coronavirus has not been found in India so far, NITI Aayog member (Health) Dr. VK Paul said Tuesday.
According to data from the Union Ministry of Health, India’s number of active cases has fallen below 3 lakh (2.92,518) as of Tuesday, the lowest level in 163 days.
Speaking at a press conference on COVID-19 updates, Dr VK Paul said: “We are in a good position and we need to maintain this momentum. It will help suppress the virus if we remain vigilant. In the UK, it has been observed a new mutation of the virus “. . “
“We spoke to the UK research community and learned that the mutation has improved the transmissibility rate of the virus. The transmissibility rate is said to have increased by 70%. We can say that the virus has become a super-spreader, “Dr. Paul said.
“This virus mutation is not affecting the severity of the disease, the case fatality or the hospitalization rate. The new strain or mutation of the coronavirus seen in the UK has not been seen in India, so far. There is no cause for concern , there is no need to panic. For now, we must be vigilant, “he added.
Explaining the mutation of the virus, Dr. Paul said: “The mutation means that there is a change in the RNA of the virus. The change in the virus is called drift. It does not matter. This behavior is seen in many viruses, including this one. “.
“There are around 17 changes in the virus and one change: N501Y is responsible for the virus by which it enters human cells. It increases the tendency of the virus to enter our body. The tendency to infect more people has only increased. “. It is cause for concern. It is an adverse event in the UK, “added Dr Paul.
Reporting on the actions taken by the central government, NITI official Aayog said: “The government is investigating it. We have robust laboratories and we are studying the genetic makeup of thousands of viruses. We have not found the virus mutation seen.” in the United Kingdom. Since there are people traveling in the middle of the pandemic and found in Australia and some countries in Europe, we must remain vigilant. “
In the wake of the UK virus mutation, the central government took a series of precautionary measures on Monday.
“Passengers traveling to and from the UK have been temporarily detained until December 31st. Since yesterday, we have started genetic sequencing of the samples that have recently arrived at our lab,” he said.
“Passengers who have arrived in India from the UK, we are tracking them, checking their health and doing their covid tests. If they are found positive for the virus, we take their sample and grow their virus and do genometric sequences.” , said. additional.
“All incoming passengers are undergoing RT-PCR testing. We follow that procedure,” he said.
Noting that the virus mutation cannot affect the development of the COVID-19 vaccine, Dr Paul noted: “As of now, the new strain of COVID-19 in the UK has no impact on the potential for emerging vaccines that are being developed in our country and are available in other countries “.
“Based on our discussions with scientists in the UK, colleagues at the World Health Organization (WHO) and our in-depth evaluation, we can say there is no need to panic. There are no changes to the procedure and guidelines for treatment due to this mutation, “said Dr. Paul, adding that people need to be more vigilant.
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