Government warns against mutant strain of coronavirus

India is witnessing a decline in the active coronavirus cases, but a new mutation of the COVID-19 virus strain in the United Kingdom has become a “super-spreader”. It has a 70% higher transmission rate. So far this new aggressive strain has not been found in India, says the NITI Aayog.

According to the Union Health Ministry data, India’s active caseload has fallen below three lakh, which is the lowest in 163 days.

“We are in good position and we have to keep this momentum. It will help in suppressing the virus by remaining vigilant. In UK, new mutation of virus has been seen”, says Dr VK Paul of the NITI Aayog. “We talked to the UK research community and we came to know that the mutation has enhanced the transmissibility rate of the virus. It is being said that 70 per cent transmissibility rate has increased. We can say that the virus has become super-spreader”.

The mutant virus is being seen as a setback for the UK. This means the virus has a tendency to infect more people.

The NITI Aayog official said the Centre is looking into this new development. “We have robust laboratories and we are studying the genetic structure of thousands of viruses. We have not found the mutation of the virus seen in UK. Since people are travelling amid the pandemic and it was found in Australia and some countries in Europe, we have to remain vigilant.”

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