Double Mutant Found in 61% COVID Samples In Maharashtra, Officials Feel Variant Behind 2nd Wave
A National Institute of Virology (NIV) Pune study shows that more than 60 percent of Covid cases in Maharashtra have the double mutant variant. The study has been made out of the data recorded from January to March. According to the study, the genome sequenced had the double mutation E484Q and L452R, now classified as B.1.617 lineage.
220 out of 361 or 61 percent of the Covid-19 samples taken in Maharashtra from January to March and genome sequenced had the double mutation.?Earlier the Central government had said that the mutation has been found in 15-20% of samples and it is not the reason behind the second wave in the state, a report in The Indian Express said.
2nd wave surge and mutant linked?
NIV officials in a meeting on April 10 made a presentation to all the all district heads of government laboratories. The genome sequencing results were shared in the presentation, but officials said the state government is yet to receive a written report on this. ˇ°It has been communicated to us only verbally,ˇ± said an official.Health Minister Rajesh Tope reportedly said the state government had asked the Centre for a detailed report on the genome sequencing of all the Maharashtra samples.
As the state is recording more than 50,000 fresh cases on a daily basis, health officials have remarked that the double mutant variant could be a reason behind it. Maharashtra has around 5.6 lakh active Covid-19 cases.
Variant found in 13 districts?
Some of the doctors are also reported saying that a link behind surging cases and double mutant cases cannot be drawn as the number of samples is very few. The mutant B.1.617 lineage was also found in Delhi. According to the data by NIC, the variant is found in 13 districts of Maharashtra including Akola, Amravati, Bhandara, Hingoli, Gondia, Chandrapur, Nagpur, Pune, Wardha, and Yavatmal.
ˇ°The Centre has maintained that there is no need to change the strategy,ˇ± Maharashtra Health Secretary Dr Pradeep Vyas reportedly said. However, other officials say that the surge in the state couldnˇŻt be directly linked to the mutant. ˇ°It is a variant of interest now. But the number of samples are very few from these districts and therefore we cannot directly conclude that the surge is caused by the variant,ˇ± Dr Sujeet Singh, Director, National Centre for Disease Control said. He added that that B.1.617 lineage were also found in few samples in Delhi too.
Strain on the health system
Experts and health officials in Maharashtra say that the variant is fast spreading putting a strain on the health system. ˇ°It is critical to have genome sequencing results as soon as possible, if possible within three days. The pattern of the new variants is unpredictable,ˇ± Dr Om Srivastava member of the State Covid Task Force said.
