The double mutation Indian variant of the Covid-19 virus has reached the UK and is being termed as the one with “the hallmarks of a very dangerous virus”.
Reportedly, it has two new significant mutations in the spike protein that help it infect cells and evade the immune system. So far 77 infections have been reported by the figures released by Public Health England (PHE). There are four cases in Scotland.
“The variant - officially named B.1.617 - is almost certainly playing a part in the very sharp spike in the epidemic in India. It has been detected in at least five Indian states that are hotspots for the surge, with more than 200,000 new cases of Covid detected nationwide on Wednesday,” Sky News reported.
Lab tests have revealed that both the mutations help the virus to infect human cells and evade some antibodies. Whether or not vaccines can fight it, is still a mystery.
It is imperative to note that despite this double mutation variant. India is not on the red list so there is no requirement for hotel quarantine. Instead returning travellers are required to take two Covid tests and quarantine at home for 10 days. The times reported, “The Joint Committee on Biosecurity is closely watching the situation. Given the limited information about the mutant strain, government sources said there were no plans to put it on the red list yet.”
Meanwhile UK PM Boris Johnson in his upcoming visit to India intends to urge Modi to give some relaxation in import tariffs on British whisky and cars. He is expected to announce a target to “more than double trade with India to £50 billion by 2030”, according to a leaked government document seen by the Financial Times. Johnson has already cut the trip short and he might be in India for only a couple of hours with a small number of delegates only.
India continues to break daily world records with its rising cases and the country reported an extra 198,000 cases on Wednesday. It is feared that this double mutation variant may be resistant to vaccines.
