The fears of new variants of Coronavirus wreaking havoc in the nation look to be coming correct with as numerous as 320 instances of Coronavirus in Punjab getting traced to the UK variant which had been accountable for a sudden rise in the quantity of infections in the United Kingdom and other components of the globe. From the occurrence of such foreign mutations of Coronavirus in single digits a handful of weeks ago, the quantity appears to have reached in hundreds and could conveniently clarify the current surge in Coronavirus instances in states like Punjab and Maharashtra, reported.
The government in a statement on Wednesday stated that the total quantity of Covid-19 UK variant instances in the nation was 736 even though the quantity of instances traced to the South African variant and Brazilian variant of the virus have been 34 and one respectively. The mutations which are really the alterations in the genetic character of the virus is understood to be the cause behind its current surge in distinctive components of the globe. Fears have also been raised that the Coronavirus vaccines may well also be significantly less powerful against the new variants of Coronavirus.
What do scientists say? Health professionals have maintained that there is no proof to think at this point that the current surge in the Coronavirus instances has got some correlation with the new variants. The scientists additional stated that the prevalence of foreign mutations of the virus is not so higher to bring about widespread infections in the nation. Even in Punjab exactly where the highest quantity of UK variant Covid-19 instances have been traced, there requirements to be a clinical evaluation of the current instances to attain any conclusion on the matter, according to the professionals.
In case, most UK variant Coronavirus patients in the state turn out to be these who not too long ago travelled abroad or their relatives then it would not pose considerably of a challenge, as per scientists. However, if the new variant is traced to varied members of the neighborhood in the state then it could pose serious challenge and lead to sudden enhance in its spread amongst more folks. If the latter turns out to be the case then it would also recommend that the quarantine recommendations are not getting followed in letter and spirit by folks who have not too long ago returned from abroad.
Status of Genome Sequencing in India In comparison to other nations, the nation lags far behind in conducting genome sequencing of the Coronavirus patients in order to verify irrespective of whether the mutation of the virus. Despite being the nation getting the second biggest quantity of Coronavirus instances in the globe, the genome sequencing has only been accomplished in a meagre 19,092 samples across the nation, reported. On the other hand, nations like China and the US have performed more than 1 lakh genome sequencing evaluation.