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How is the new variant different from the existing strain?
The new variant which has been named B.1.1.7 has acquired 17 mutations all at once. The variant is also dominating over the existing versions of the coronavirus. Scientists are concerned about some of the mutations in the virus.
"One, called N501Y, has previously been shown to increase how tightly the protein binds to the ACE2 receptor, its entry point into human cells. The other, named 69-70del, leads to the loss of two amino acids in the spike protein and has been found in viruses that eluded the immune response in some immuno-compromised patients," said Andrew Rambaut, a molecular evolutionary biologist at the University of Edinburgh in an article by the journal ‘Science’
The virus also spreads faster but there is no evidence so far that suggests that the mutated virus which is also called VUI-202012/01, has become deadlier.
"Whilst previous variants have successfully emerged in periods of low prevalence without clear evidence of having a selective advantage, the emergence and subsequent dominance of VUI-202012/01 in a period of relatively high prevalence suggests VUI-202012/01 does have a selective advantage over other variants," scientists who were part of UK's New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (NERVTAG) wrote after a meeting on December 18 according to a report by IANS.
Scientists also feel that the new variant is may also have become more widespread. There are reports that the virus has been found in countries such as the Netherlands, Denmark, Italy, and Australia.
Is India prepared?
India has temporarily halted all the fights originating from UK to India till December 31, in the wake of the new strain of Covid-19 variant spreading rapidly in UK. The nine-day long ban will come into effect from 11:59 pm on December 22, till 11:59 pm on December 31.
"Considering the prevailing situation in the UK, Indian government has decided that all flights originating from the UK to India shall be temporarily suspended till 11:59 pm, 31st December. This suspension to start with effect from 11.59 pm, 22nd December," Ministry of Civil Aviation stated.
As a measure of abundant precaution, passengers arriving from UK in all transit flights (flights that have taken off or flights which are reaching India before 22nd Dec at 23.59 hrs) should be subject to mandatory RT-PCR test on arrival at the airports concerned. Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan has also stated that there was no need to panic as India is alert and ready.
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research Director General Shekhar Mande has also said that teh Covid-19 vaccine will be effctive against the new strain.
"It is likely that there will be differences between certain aspects like anti-bodies but it doesn't necessarily mean that vaccines will be ineffective. Vaccines will be equally effective despite the mutation. So there is no reason to panic," said Mande in a report by PTI.