COVID-19: What Is New Triple Mutant Variant Detected In India?
We are all well aware of India’s battle with the second wave of COVID-19 with record-braking daily cases and rising death rates. We Indians have recently witnessed more than 370,000new COVID cases within 24 hours. It is the highest total recorded globally till date since the beginning of the pandemic. We are also hearing some news about the “triple mutant strain” or “triple mutant variant” of the coronavirus being responsible for the spike of COVID cases in India. If you want to get Covid test in Howrah, find your nearest LASCO Centre and get in touch.
Viruses constantly change via mutations and from the very beginning of the pandemic there have been more than one variant of the virus. This B.1.617 variant is now classified as a “variant of concern” by the World Health Organization (WHO).
What is the triple mutant variant of COVID-19?
The triple mutant variant of COVID-19 has been found in Maharashtra, which is the second most populous state in India. The name ‘triple mutant variant’ is an abbreviated to denote several more mutations. In addition to the two mutations, it also has V382L in its Spike. This is a sub-lineage of B.1.617, found mainly in MH samples and also some in other states. If you need to get tested, visit your nearest Diagnostic Centre in Howrah or RT-PCR test lab in Howrah.
How is this variant unique?
This variant is not very different from the others. It just comes with a few notable mutations that have already been tracked in the other variants of this virus. One variant is called the E484K which is a major immune escape variant. These mutations have evolved to evade the antibodies formed as a result of natural infection with prior strains.
Is this triple mutant of coronavirus more dangerous?
There has been no concrete evidence, till date, proving this variant is deadlier or more transmissible than other variants.
Is the triple mutant variant resistant to the COVID-19 vaccine?
There is no current evidence that the variant is resistant to COVID-19 vaccines. It does carry the E484K mutation, a characteristic found in the variants first identified in South Africa and Brazil.
