6 cases of mutant Covid strain found in India

Six cases of a mutant strain of coronavirus that was first reported in the United Kingdom have been detected in India. The new strain is believed to be 70% more infectious. But doctors say that there is no reason yet to believe that it is more dangerous or will not be controlled by a vaccine. All six patients have recently returned from the UK, where cases have spiralled within days.

Three of the patients are in Bengaluru, two in Hyderabad and one in Pune.All of them are undergoing treatment.

All patients have been kept in single room isolation in healthcare facilities by the state governments. Their close contacts have also been put under quarantine. Comprehensive contact tracing has been initiated for co-travellers, family contacts and others.

Around 33,000 passengers arrived from the UK between 25 November and 23 December.

“The situation is under careful watch and regular advice is being provided to the States for enhanced surveillance, containment, testing & dispatch of samples to INSACOG labs,” read a statement from the government.

So far, several nations including Denmark, Netherlands, Australia, Italy, Sweden, France, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Canada, Japan, Lebanon and Singapore have reported the detection of the UK strain.

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