With Andhra Pradesh reeling severely under the Covid-19crisis, health officials suspect that the N440K variant, discovered by theCentre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), might be the reason behindthe rapid deterioration of the health conditions of Covid patients in the lastfew days, in Visakhapatnam as well as other parts of the state.
The new Covid variant named the AP strain, wasidentified in Kurnool district, is believed to be 15 times more deadly andstronger than other Indian variants.
The Visakhapatnam district health authorities are closelymonitoring the developments.
"We are yet to confirm, which strain is incirculation right now, as samples have been sent, for analysis, to CCMB. But onething is certain that the variant, currently in circulation in Visakhapatnam,is quite different from what we have seen during the first wave lastyear," Visakhapatnam District Collector V. Vinay Chand said.
Experts said that as compared to the first wave experiencedlast year, this year, the virus can be acquired through a shorter exposure.
The net result is that more people can end up gettinginfected in a lower time frame.
According to a senior health official in the district,earlier, a Covid patient would reach the hypoxia or dyspnea stage, in about aweek. However, in the current scenario, patients are reaching the seriouscondition stage in barely three to four days.
Experts are especially concerned about the highlyunpredictable nature of the AP variant.
"The younger generation is being majorly affected.Not everyone responds to the treatment too." the official adds. Apart fromthe overall sense of panic, the net effect of the possible new Covid strain isevident in the growing demand-supply gap for beds with oxygen, and ICU beds.