The second wave of coronavirus is already wreaking havocin the country. With the shortage of vaccines and collapsing health system inseveral states, India soon will be crawling on its feet.
Meanwhile, the National Institute of Virology hasdetected a new variant of coronavirus. This double mutant of coronavirus isnamed B.1.617.
What is B.1.617?
The researchers have found a new variant of coronavirusthat carries two mutations- E484Q and L452R. These mutants are generally foundseparately in other SARS variants. However, this time researchers have reportedthese variants together for the first time in India. This is a matter ofconcern, as this variant is more infectious and has a high potential ofremoving antibodies from the body.
Where is B.1.617 detected?
The double mutation variant is first time found inMaharashtra. Various samples were collected from several districts of thestate, later all found to be infected with this new strain, now named B.1.617.
So far, Amravati, Nagpur, Akola, Wardha, Pune, Thane,Aurangabad and Chandrapur districts have shown the presence of thiscoronavirus variant.
How harmful is variant B.1.617?
So far, there is no evidence of its virulence. Theresearchers and doctors suggest that the variant spreads faster and is moreinfectious. Most of the patients can do well under home quarantine, however, itcan easily infect the family.
Dr. Shashank Joshi, an expert of the Maharashtra CovidTask Force said, “Most patients are asymptomatic and that is a good indication.But in absolute numbers so many cases have out a burden on healthinfrastructure.”
The two strains found in this double mutant variant havehigh transmission rates, making it more infectious and deadly. According to thehealth ministry, “the new variant can increase infection rates and easilysurpass immune defense.”