New Coronavirus Strain In India: Genome sequencing by INSACOG (Indian SARS-CoV-2 Consortium on Genomics) shows the rise of a new Coronavirus strain in India. On Wednesday, the consortium said that it has been detected in Maharashtra with double mutation.
In a statement, INSACOG said, "The analysis of samples from Maharashtra has revealed that compared to December 2020, there has been an increase in the fraction of samples with the E484Q and L452R mutations. Such mutations confer immune escape and increased infectivity. These mutations have been found in about 15-20 per cent of samples and do not match any previously catalogued variants of concern (VOCs)".
The Ministry of Health Tweeted:
It further added, "From Kerala 2,032 samples (from all 14 districts) have been sequenced. The N440K variant that is associated with immune escape has been found in 123 samples from 11 districts. This variant was earlier found in 33% of samples from Andhra Pradesh, and in 53 of 104 samples from Telangana. This variant has also been reported from 16 other countries including UK, Denmark, Singapore, Japan and Australia. As of now, these can be at best said to be variant under investigation."
From 10,787 positive samples that States/UTs shared, 771 variants of concerns have been detected. These consist of 736 samples positive for the U.K. (B.1.1.7) lineage viruses, 34 samples positive for the South African (B.1.351) lineage viruses and 1 positive for the Brazilian (P.1) lineage viruses. The consortium states that the samples with these VOCs have been identified in 18 states of the country.
New Coronavirus Strain In India: Twitter Reactions
ANI tweeted about the new coronavirus strain in India, the social media platform started flooding with reactions on the tweet.
"Genome Sequencing by Indian SARS-CoV-2 Consortium on Genomics (INSACOG) shows variants of concern and a Novel variant in India: Government of India", said ANI in its tweet.
A user replied, "Novel variant in India found in samples collected for Genome sequencing. Punjab has already cautioned GOI when UK variant is found in 80% of the latest samples collected. Situation becomes alarming!! Vaccination drive needs to be accelerated ASAP."
Quoting the tweet, another user Dr Suchitra Raghavachari said, "The need is to adhere to guidelines, Corona appropriate protocols. Masking, distancing, hygiene, consult if reqd, vaccinate if eligible. Co-operate for test, track, treat."
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