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A new variant of the “double mutant” coronavirus has been detected in several Indian states, raising fears that the Indian “second wave” is more dangerous than the first.
Additionally, authorities have reported several other variants in at least 18 states amid an increase in coronavirus infections across the country.
The Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) is performing genomic sequencing on the last samples of the double mutant variant.
So far, a total of 736 cases of the variant first discovered in the UK, 34 of the South African variant and one case of the Brazilian variant have been found in the country, Sujeet Kumar Singh, director of the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC), told media last week.
What is a double mutant variant?
Authorities say analysis of samples collected in the western state of Maharashtra shows an increase in E484Q and L452R mutations since December.
“A double mutation occurs when two mutated variants of a virus come together to form a third variant. The one reported in India is a combination of E484Q and L452R variants,” MC Mishra, former medical director, Indian Institute of Medical Sciences , says DW.
Health experts say the L452R variant was first discovered in the United States, while the E484Q variant is native.
“This double mutant could be a major reason behind the surge in COVID cases, but we have to wait for test results to determine if this is the case,” Mishra added.
Concerns about possible re-infections
Scientists say the emergence of COVID variants in India was not unexpected.
“We don’t know for sure if the rise in cases is linked to variants, but it is a possibility, and we need to investigate,” Shahid Jameel, a medical expert, told DW.
Health experts fear that the double mutation could allow the virus to escape the body’s immune system, making itself more resistant to antibodies. It is also possible that it could re-infect patients who have already recovered from COVID-19, they added. In some cases, the virus might also be able to defend itself against the vaccines currently in use.
“What we are seeing is a spike in coronavirus cases, which shows that variants of the virus are contributing to increased transmission,” said Lalit Kant, former head of the Department of Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases at the Indian Council. of medical research.
Increase in COVID infections
India recorded 68,020 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, bringing the total to 12.39 million, according to data from the Ministry of Health. The South Asian country also recorded 291 deaths in the past 24 hours (Sunday to Monday), bringing the total death toll to 161,843.
The state of Maharashtra has been the source of most of the topical cases, with state authorities considering a strict lockdown. Delhi has reported around 1,900 infections, the highest number of cases in the capital since December 15, 2020.
The country has reported more than 40,000 new cases daily for more than a week, after infections fell sharply in January and February.
Authorities are urging people to strictly follow COVID protocols.
“A five-step strategy has been introduced to deal with the situation, including effective containment and contact tracing for at least 14 consecutive days in 46 districts,” Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said after chairing a high-level meeting with officials from 12 states and union territories last week.
The federal government has urged state health officials to do their best to ensure the new situation does not reverse India’s gains last year.
India began its mass COVID vaccination campaign on January 16, but so far just over 60 million vaccines have been administered in the country.
On April 1, the national vaccination campaign will enter the third phase, during which people over 45 can be vaccinated. India hopes to vaccinate 300 million people by August.
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