New coronavirus strain not more severe, no need to panic: Centre

In view of a mutated variant of coronavirus detected in the UK and elsewhere the NITI Aayog clarified on Tuesday that there is no need to panicNiti Aayogs Member Health Dr VK Paul said that the mutated variant of novel coronavirus does not increase the severity of COVID19 disease or impact the propensity of vaccines availableAs 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 SARSCoV2 are effective on the mutated strain as well he saidSo there is no need to panic Paul addedA new variant of SARSCoV 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 populationScientists in the UK have observed 17 changes or mutations in the latest variant One of the most significant mutations is the N501Y mutation in the spike protein that the virus uses to bind to the human ACE2 receptorChanges in this part of the spike protein is responsible for the virus becoming more infectious and spreading further easily between peopleThe UK government has reported the variant to be 70 per cent more infectiousTo contain the mutated variant from infiltrating the indian population India has temporarily banned flights from the UK The suspension of flights from the UK will come into effect from December 22 midnight and will continue till December 31Further the government has also ordered mandatory RTPCR tests for the patients arriving from the UK As per the latest information 5 passengers were found to be Covid19 positive on TuesdayThe Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry has 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 studyThe genomic sequencing study would determine if the Covid patients are carrying the existing strain of SARSCoV2 or the mutant strain which was discovered in the UKIf 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 saidThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever