Description: Can the double mutant Covid mutant reverse the increase in Indian pandemics?

new Double mutant coronavirus variant detected In some states of India, India’s “second wave” raises fears that it can be more dangerous than the first wave.

In addition, authorities have reported several other variants in at least 18 states during the surge. Coronavirus Infectious diseases nationwide.

The SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) in India is sequencing the genome on the latest sample of double mutants.

To date, a total of 736 first variants found in the UK, one from South Africa and one variant from Brazil have been tracked domestically. Sujeet Kumar Singh Disease Control (NCDC), director of the National Center for Disease Control, told the media last week.

What is a double mutant?

Authorities say analysis of samples collected from western Maharashtra shows an increase in E484Q and L452R mutations since December.

“Double mutations occur when two mutants of the virus come together to form a third mutant. What has been reported in India is a combination of E484Q and L452R variants.” MC Mishra, a former medical director of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, told DW.

According to health experts, the L452R variant was first discovered in the United States, while the E484Q variant is indigenous.

“This double mutant may be the main reason behind the surge in Covid cases, but we have to wait for test results to determine if that is the case,” Mishra said. I added.

Concerns about possible reinfection

Scientists say the emergence of Covid variants in India was not unexpected.

“I don’t know if the increase in cases is associated with mutations, but it is possible and needs to be investigated,” medical expert Shahid Jameel told DW.

Health experts are worried that double mutations may allow the virus to escape the body’s immune system, increasing resistance to antibodies.Patients who have already recovered may be re-infected COVID-19, They added. In some cases, the virus may also be able to protect itself from the vaccines currently in use.

“What we are seeing is a surge in coronavirus cases, which indicates that viral variants contribute to the increase in infection,” said the Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases Division of the Indian Medical Research Council. Former director Lalit Kant told the media.

Rapid increase in Covid infections

India recorded 68,020 new Covid-19 cases on Monday, for a total of 12.39 million, according to health ministry data. South Asian countries have also recorded 291 deaths in the last 24 hours (Sunday-Monday), bringing the total death toll to 161,843.

The western province of Maharashtra accounted for the majority of the news incident, and state officials considered a strict blockade. Delhi reported about 1,900 infections. This is the largest number of cases in the capital since December 15, 2020.

After a sharp decline in infections in January and February, the country has reported over 40,000 new daily cases for over a week.

Authorities urge people to strictly follow the Covid protocol

“A five-step strategy to address the situation has been introduced in 46 districts, including effective containment and contact tracing for at least 14 consecutive days,” Health Minister Rajesh Bhushan said in 12 state officials. Said after chairing a high-level conference with. Last week’s union territory.

The federal government has urged state health officials to do their best to ensure that the new situation does not cancel India’s last year’s interests.

India launched a mass Covid vaccination drive on January 16th, with more than 60 million vaccinations in the country so far.

On April 1st, a national vaccination drive will enter the third phase, allowing people over the age of 45 to be vaccinated. India hopes to vaccinate 300 million people by August.