The NITI Aayog clarified on Tuesday that there is no need to panic with regards to the mutated variant of covid-19 detached in the UK. Niti Aayog's Member, Health, Dr V.K. Paul said that the mutated variant of novel coronavirus does not increase the severity of Covid-19 disease or impact the propensity of vaccines available.
He said, "As per the information available from the UK where the mutated variant was detected, it does not increase the severity of the disease, deaths and rate of hospitalisation. Besides, the studies also suggest that the available vaccines against the SARS-CoV-2 are effective on the mutated strain as well.”
"So there is no need to panic," Paul added.
A new variant of SARS-CoV 2 virus, which is under investigation, has been reported by the UK government to the World Health Organization (WHO). This variant is estimated by the European Center for Disease Control (ECDC) to be more transmissible and affecting the younger population.
The initial data of the new strain suggests it is at least 70 per cent more easily transmitted - has triggered fear across the world, amid surging infection rates in the UK and fears that the first lot of Covid vaccines may not be as effective.
Scientists in the UK have observed 17 changes or mutations in the latest variant. One of the most significant mutations in the 'N501Y' mutation in the spike protein that the virus uses to bind to the human ACE2 receptor. Changes in this part of the spike protein are responsible for the virus becoming more infectious and spreading further easily between people.
30 countries including India have imposed a temporary ban on the incoming flights from the UK; in India, the ban will go in-effect from Wednesday midnight until 31st December.
This morning the centre also announced SOPs for all incoming passengers until then, which includes mandatory RT-PCR tests for the people arriving from the UK and isolation for those testing positive, as well as an institutional quarantine for contacts of passengers who test positive. As per the latest information, 5 passengers were found to be Covid-19 positive on Tuesday.
The Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry have asked state governments to send the samples of the passengers who tested positive on arrival from the UK to National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune or any other appropriate lab for genomic sequencing study.
The genomic sequencing study would determine if the Covid patients are carrying the existing strain of SARS-CoV-2 or the mutant strain which was discovered in the UK.
If the samples indicate the presence of the new variant, the patient will continue to remain in a separate isolation unit while necessary treatment as per the existing protocol will be given, the Ministry said.
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On Tuesday Morning, WHO chief Dr Soumya Swaminathan said that the new variant may already be present in many countries and it is early to arrive at any conclusion about the virus. However, we can keep following all the measures to stay protected against the virus -- like wear mask, testing and sanitize.
Dr Harsh Vardhan had earlier urged people to not panic asserting the government is alert.