New Delhi: The Covid-19 cases continue to decrease in India. In the last 24 hours, only 32,906 new cases were reported in the country. This is the lowest figures of the second wave of Covid-19. The Covid-19 cases are decreasing and there is relief among the people due to the rapid vaccination drive happening across different states. But what is worrying in the midst of all this is the changing nature of the Covid-19 variants. 


Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also expressed his concern about the variants. He has described Covid-19 as a shapeshifter and advised people to be more careful than before. People have many questions regarding the changing nature of the Covid-19 virus. Today we will answer every question related to the different variants of the Covid-19.


What are variants?


The Covid-19 virus mutates and changes its form. When it passes from one person to another, it changes its form multiple times. During this change, the virus either becomes more dangerous than before or becomes weaker than before. To explain it briefly, when the virus makes its photocopy inside the body, many times a photocopy becomes slightly different from the first one. This is called its new variant. The variants are divided into two categories, Variants of Interest (VOIs) and Variants of Concern (VOCs). According to the information, WHO has so far kept 12 variants in different categories.


What is Variant of Interest (VOI)
You will be surprised to know that the Covid-19 virus has changed its form more than 24 thousand times so far all over the world. But in most cases its effects were not that severe or were completely inactive. But when a variant shows a change in its structure and its nature after mutation, it is considered as a distinct variant. Initially, any variant is kept in the category of Variant of Interest. Scientists conduct research on these variants, collect data and try to find out whether one particular variant of the virus is dangerous or not. 


What is Variants of Concern (VOC)
According to the WHO, a variant of concern is a type of virus that spreads very rapidly, increases the mortality rate, reduces the effectiveness of the vaccine or fails the earlier medical arrangements against the disease. It is very important to keep an eye on this type of variant when it is changing its nature and structure. 


So far, 4 variants have been placed in the category of Variants of Concern. These include Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta variants. On the other hand, Eta, Iota, Kappa and Lambda have been kept in the category of Variants of Interest.


Know about Variants of Concern
Alpha Variant:
It was first found in southern England in September 2020, which was later placed in the Variant of Concern category in December 2020. Scientists named it B.1.1.7. The victim of this variant can become seriously ill within 28 days and may die after reaching the ICU. Initially it was considered dangerous but after rapid vaccination it came under control.


Beta Variant:
The Beta variant was first found in South Africa in May 2020. In December 2020, it was included in the category of Variant of Concern. According to Johns Hopkins University, it had the ability to re-infect people who had recovered from the Covid-19 virus. Along with this, the early data from researchers showed that vaccines provided minimal protection against this variant. This increases the viral load in the affected person. Scientists named it (B.1.351), (B.1.351.2), (B.1.351.3).


Gamma Variant: 
The Gamma variant was first found in Brazil in 2020. In January 2021, it was included in the category of Variants of Concern. This Covid-19 variant spreads even more rapidly than the earlier variants. Gamma variant can escape the body's immunity.


Delta Variant:
The Delta variant was found in India in December 2020, it has been included in the category of Variants of Concern.  The scientific name of this variant is B.1.617.2. It is considered to have increased transmissibility. People affected by this variant develop hearing impairment, gastric issues, and blood clots.


Since its first case, the Delta variant has fueled fear worldwide. Apart from India, this new variant has caused havoc in many countries around the world including Britain, America, Russia, Brazil, and Singapore. For this reason, the health ministries of many countries including Britain, Germany, Russia have issued warnings.


Delta Plus Variant
This new variant Delta Plus (AY.1) is made up of mutations in Delta (B.1.617.2) which were first detected in India. Apart from this, the mutation named K41N which was found in the beta variant in South Africa also gives its symptoms. Therefore it is more dangerous than any other variants. Some virologists have feared that this variant is 35-60% more contagious than Alpha.


In December 2020, Delta was found only in 1 district but in March 2021, it was discovered in 52 districts. Delta variant was found in 174 districts. Variants of Concern (VOC) was detected in 35 states in 174 districts. There has been an increase in VOCs from 10.31% in May 2021 to 51% in June 2021. The Delta linked variants will be treated as VOC only. 50 cases have been found in 12 days.


The Union Health Ministry, quoting the Indian SARS Cove-2 Genomics Consortium, has described Delta Plus as a big cause of concern. A variant of the virus is considered worrisome when it is more contagious and can cause serious illness. WHO is also keeping an eye on this.


Know the variants of the Variant of Interest
Kappa Variants 
After the Delta Plus variant of Covid-19, people are concerned about the Kappa variant. However, the government has considered the Kappa variant as a Variant of Interest rather than as a Variant of Concern. But when asked about this virus in the PC of the Ministry of Health, NITI Aayog member VK Paul clarified that Kappa is not a new variant. At present, the government is assuming that there are not many cases of Kappa variants, but the estimated third wave of Covid-19 with different variants have increased the challenge.


Lambda variant
The origin of this variant is believed to be in Peru, South America.  The World Health Organization (WHO) has given information about the lambda variant in its weekly report. The lambda variant of the Covid-19 is emerging as a new threat. According to the Ministry of Health of Malaysia, so far it has spread to 30 countries including Britain. Till now, 6 cases have been identified in the UK and all of them had travelled abroad before they returned home with infection. This variant first appeared in Peru. 


Eta
In December 2020, patients infected with the Eta variant were found in many countries simultaneously. It was included in the Variant of Interest category in March 2021. 


Iota
It's first case was found in the US in November 2020. After this, the WHO included it in the Variant of Interest category on March 2021.