Should India Be Worried About C.1.2 Covid Variant Outbreak? WHO Says Not Yet

While India prepares for an inevitable third wave of Covid-19, grim news from South Africa about a stronger and potentially more virulent C.1.2 variant could dent India's ongoing vaccination programme, which has been dubbed the largest inoculation drive in the world.

The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has killed 4,39,000 people in India alone, with over 3.28 crore cases nationwide. Globally, the virus has killed 45,10,000 people with over 21.7 crore cases.

In the face of vaccine inequity working against many developing countries, especially in Africa and Asia, a more infectious variant surely means bad news.

Reuters

Is India safe from a third wave?

The new C.1.2 variant is being called the world's most mutated variant of Covid since the beginning of the pandemic. It doesn't take much time for new and more infectious variants to spread among people, as evident in the disastrous second wave of coronavirus which was spearheaded by the Delta variant, another mutation of which "Delta Plus" is also stoking fears among the general population.

Also read: Highly Mutant Covid C.1.2 Variant Found, Worse Than Delta Variant

Recently, experts told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the third wave of Covid-19 could hit the country as soon as September and peak in October.

Reuters

The expert committee which made the assessment was formed by the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM). In the report, experts highlighted the lack of pandemic preparedness in India even after the loss of life witnessed in April-May.

The parameters to measure preparedness include pediatric facilities including doctors, staff and life-saving equipment like ambulances, ventilators, and other assistive paraphernalia.

Who is at risk from C.1.2 Covid variant?

According to the committee, the upcoming wave could affect kids more than adults. Due to this, the experts suggested that the government ought to begin vaccinating kids. This is especially dangerous because schools are now reopening in many parts of the country.

Starting September 1, schools in the capital city of Delhi will begin opening in a phased manner. With other states following suit, the risk of infection among kids remains high, even though studies have shown that kids do not develop serious illness from the virus.

As is the case with previous variants, those with co-morbidities (pre-existing health conditions) are also at high risk of serious illness from Covid.

The report sheds light on the lack of preparedness, with a disturbing 82 per cent shortage of pediatricians in primary healthcare centres along with 63 per cent reported vacancies in community centres.

Also read: Fully Vaccinated Kerala Doctor Tests COVID Positive Fourth Time, Twice After Inoculation

Essentially, if a more infectious variant like C.1.2 become the dominant strain in India, hospitals would be overwhelmed again -- akin to the horrors of the second wave which hit India like a tsunami.

Reuters

WHO says C.1.2 variant "not spreading"

While vaccinations are excellent at preventing serious infection and death, strains that mutate beyond a certain point may be able to able to bypass the protection offered by current vaccines.

Also read: Over 6,000 Fully-Vaccinated People In Mumbai Got COVID-19: Here¡¯s Why

Even then, the World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday said that the new variant from South Africa does not appear to be spreading, saying it's not "increasing in circulation".

WHO spokesperson Margaret Harris also said that C.1.2 is not currently classified as a "variant of concern" by the agency. Regardless, experts warn against discarding protective measures like self-disciplinary behaviour when it comes to venturing outside, hand hygiene, and face masks. If you haven't received the vaccine yet, don't delay it anymore.

Are you concerned and worried about the new C.1.2 mutant Covid variant? Let us know in the comments section below, and keep reading Indiatimes.com for your science and technology news fix.