Patients Turning Serious In 3-4 Days, Panic In Vizag: New AP Strain Might Be 15 Times More Dangerous

Even as the country is reeling under the deadly effects of the double mutant of COVID-19, it seems a new N440K spike substitution detected in several parts of south India will continue to threaten efforts to stem the world's worst virus outbreak.

The Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) has discovered N440K variant, that might be responsible for creating havoc in Visakhapatnam and other parts of the state, said experts.

Though it is too early to conclude that the new variant, which is being called the AP strain, is behind the huge surge in some parts of state.

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Stronger than other variants

The strain first discovered in Kurnool, is considered to be at least 15 times more virulent than the earlier ones, and may be even stronger than the Indian variants of B1.617 and B1.618.

According to District Collector V. Vinay Chand, the strain in circulation in Visakhapatnam is quite different from what they saw last year during the first wave of the pandemic.

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Different than virus in first wave

¡°We are still to ascertain, which strain is in circulation right now, as samples have been sent to CCMB for analysis. But one thing is certain that the variant at present which is in circulation in Visakhapatnam is quite different from what we have seen during the first wave last year,¡± V Vinay Chand, who is updated about the developments by senior doctors in the health department said.

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District COVID Special Officer PV Sudhakar said that they have observed that the new variant has shorter incubation period and the progress of the disease is much rapid. "Unlike during the first wave, a shorter exposure is enough to acquire the virus," he said.

In the earlier cases, a patient affected with Covid-19 would take at least a week to reach the hypoxia or dyspnea stage (absence of enough oxygen in the tissues to sustain bodily functions), but now patients are reaching the serious condition stage within three or four days. Sudhakar added that it has led to pressure on beds with oxygen and ICU beds.

Shorter exposure enough to acquire virus

Experts also point out that unlike during the first wave, a shorter exposure is enough to acquire the virus, which enables an infected person to infect four to five persons within a shorter contact span.

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"Most essentially, none is spared, as we have observed that it is affecting the younger population in a big way, including those who are fitness freaks and have high immunity levels. It is also observed that cytokine storm is occurring faster, and some are responding to treatment, and some are not," said Sudhakar.

Variant highly unpredictable

According to the experts, the bottom line is ¡ª this variant is highly unpredictable. The best way to keep it at bay is to follow COVID-appropriate behaviour. Always wear two masks while going out, keep away from gatherings, sanitise hands regularly, and stay home as much as possible, according to Hema Prakash, a senior microbiologist from GITAM Institute of Medical Sciences and Research.