On December 31, 2019, the first case of coronavirus (an unknown virus then) was recorded in a city of Eastern China namely Wuhan which had a population of over 11 million people.
What started as an epidemic mainly limited to China became a truly global pandemic with 82 million cases recorded and 1.79 million deaths worldwide as recorded recently.
Just when the world started to think that the pandemic situation might come under control with a vaccine insight, a newly discovered strain of the virus left the countries again confused.
The New Strain-VUI
The new variant of coronavirus is called 'VUI-202012/01' (the first Variant under Investigation in December 2020). Viruses are not rare to undergo mutations; every year, seasonal influenza mutates.
In other countries, such as Spain, variants of SARS-CoV-2 have been observed. In the 'spike' protein, this variant contains a mutation. This virus has at least 17 mutational modifications, according to researchers which makes it more infectious.
The new variant of coronavirus is called 'VUI-202012/01' (the first Variant under Investigation in December 2020). Viruses are not rare to undergo mutations; every year, seasonal influenza mutates.
In other countries, such as Spain, variants of SARS-CoV-2 have been observed. In the 'spike' protein, this variant contains a mutation. This virus has at least 17 mutational modifications, according to researchers which makes it more infectious.
The Threat of the New Strain of Coronavirus
While most mutations are either harmful to the virus or have no effect, in this new version, a few mutations looked as if they could potentially affect the spread of the coronavirus.
The new variant of SARS-COV-2 could, according to estimates, be up to 70% more transmissible than the old variant. What's more troubling is that this strain affects people who are relatively young in the 30-60 age group.
Preliminary UK data suggests that the virus is rapidly spreading in parts of southern England, replacing other strains that have been circulating for months.
India and the New Strain of Coronavirus (VUI)
The number of returnees from the United Kingdom to India who tested positive for the latest mutant genome of the coronavirus discovered there in September rose from six on Tuesday to 20 on Wednesday.
The returnees are from a variety of states that have tested positive. Karnataka is the state which appears to have borne the brunt of the latest strain of coronavirus.
Four more tested positive on Wednesday, in addition to three that were found positive on Tuesday, raising the total to seven. The four from Shivamogga belong to the same family and have recently returned from the United Kingdom.
Of the 20 positive individuals identified, four are from Delhi. On Wednesday, they tested positive and were isolated in separate rooms at Lok Nayak Hospital in the capital.
Effect of Vaccines on the New Variant of Coronavirus
The immune response to the current spike is produced by all three leading vaccines, which is why the issue arises.
Vaccines prepare the immune system to target several different parts of the virus, so the vaccines can still function even when part of the spike has mutated.
But if we allow more mutations to be added, then you start worrying, "But if we let it add more mutations, then you start worrying,"
"This virus is potentially on a pathway for vaccine escape, it has taken the first couple of steps towards that." Vaccine escape occurs when the virus shifts so that it prevents the vaccine's full effect and proceeds to infect people.
This could be the most important part of what's going on with the virus.
This version is only the latest to prove that as it infects more and more of us, the virus continues to adapt.
On Friday, a presentation by Prof. David Robertson from the University of Glasgow concluded: "The virus will probably be able to generate vaccine escape mutants." That would place us in a flu-like situation, where the vaccines need to be updated periodically.
Fortunately, it is really simple to tweak the vaccinations that we have.
Precautions to Be Taken
1. Clean your hands regularly. Using soap and water, or a hand rub that is based on alcohol.
2. Maintain a reasonable distance from any person who is sneezing or coughing.
3. When physical separation is not feasible, wear a mask.
4. Don't touch your mouth, nose or eyes.
5. When you cough or sneeze, cover your nose and mouth with your bent elbow or with a tissue.
6. If you feel unwell, remain at home.
7. Seek medical attention if you have a fever, cough, and trouble breathing.
8. Wear masks.
Calling in advance makes it easier for your healthcare provider to guide you to the right health facility quickly. This protects you and prevents viruses and other pathogens from spreading.
Masks will help prevent the spread of the virus to others from the person wearing the mask. Masks alone do not defend against COVID-19 and should be paired with hand hygiene and physical distancing. Follow the advice that the local health authority offers.
Written by - Anushka Jain
1. Clean your hands regularly. Using soap and water, or a hand rub that is based on alcohol.
2. Maintain a reasonable distance from any person who is sneezing or coughing.
3. When physical separation is not feasible, wear a mask.
4. Don't touch your mouth, nose or eyes.
5. When you cough or sneeze, cover your nose and mouth with your bent elbow or with a tissue.
6. If you feel unwell, remain at home.
7. Seek medical attention if you have a fever, cough, and trouble breathing.
8. Wear masks.
Calling in advance makes it easier for your healthcare provider to guide you to the right health facility quickly. This protects you and prevents viruses and other pathogens from spreading.
Masks will help prevent the spread of the virus to others from the person wearing the mask. Masks alone do not defend against COVID-19 and should be paired with hand hygiene and physical distancing. Follow the advice that the local health authority offers.
Written by - Anushka Jain
Edited by - Sandhya R
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