India has detected 25 lakh Covid-19 cases in two weeks since the daily coronavirus infection topped the 1 lakh mark on April 4. On all days but one, India reported more than 1 lakh Covid-19 cases from April 4 to 18, including more than 2 lakh daily Covid-19 cases in the last four days with a new high of almost 2.75 lakh coronavirus infections on Monday.
The second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in India has resulted in acute shortages of hospital beds, oxygen supplies, critical medications and vaccines (mainly due to people’s rush to get vaccinated to protect against the raging SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes Covid-19 disease ).
The jury is not yet sure what actually triggered the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in India. Some authorities blamed the fatigue of the Covid-19 protocol leading to errors in compliance with the safety measures of people across the country. At the same time, some health professionals point to one Indian variant, called the double mutant strainfrom SARS-CoV-2.
WHAT IS DOUBLE MUTANT VARIANT?
Viruses mutate when they spread on a large scale. A mutation in a virus makes it behave like a modified or even a different species, with the core genetic attributes being preserved. In January, a unique mutation was found in Maharashtra, the state hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The mutation was found to be similar to the mutations previously found in the United States in the UK and South Africa, as well as California. The difference was that the Indian variant had two simultaneous mutations that mimicked British and South African variants on the one hand, and the Californian version on the other.
Medically, the mutant is identified as the B.1.617 variant of SARS-CoV-2. The two mutations it carries are called E484Q and L452R. E484Q is similar to the British and South African variants. L452R is similar to the California variant.
IS DOUBLE MUTANT DEADLIER?
Both mutations are in its spike protein, the part of the virus that it binds to in order to get into a human cell. Together, the mutations made the Indian double mutant variant of SARS-CoV-2 more infectious and given it the ability to evade antibodies.
Sufficient data is lacking to say with authority whether this virus is causing a more severe form of Covid-19 disease than that seen during the first nationwide wave of the pandemic. It’s not clear whether the increased death rate is related to the double mutant being more deadly or to the inflated volume of infection.
The Maharashtra Covid Task Force said last week that most patients were asymptomatic, but the sheer volume of infections was putting a huge strain on healthcare infrastructure.
How far has the double mutant spread?
There is also a lack of data here. India has lagged behind many European countries in genome sequencing in order to know the exact nature of the spread of the double mutant variant of SARS-CoV-2.
Based on the genome sequencing of 361 samples by the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune, it is estimated that just over 60 percent of Covid-19 cases in the second wave in Maharashtra are due to the double mutant variant.
With Maharashtra being one of the biggest destinations for migrant workers from across the country, the double mutant variant is expected to have reached many other states. It is estimated that at least 8 to 10 states have seen increases in cases due to the double mutant variant of SARS-CoV-2. However, there is not enough data yet.
IS DOUBLE MUTANT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SECOND WAVE?
Many virologists and health professionals tend to conclude that the second wave is fueled by the double mutant variant of SARS-CoV-2. However, they all emphasize the need for genome sequencing of thousands of samples from across the country.
It is known that the two mutations have given the coronavirus an increased infectivity and immune escape capacity. However, in the absence of sufficient data, it is difficult to explain whether relaxation and omissions in the Covid-19 security protocol with the older SARS-CoV-2 strain triggered the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic or the double mutant variant of the perpetrators.
WAS IT FOUND OUTSIDE INDIA?
Yes, in fact, the UK and Brazil have found evidence that a new wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in these countries is largely caused by the double mutant variant of SARS-CoV-2. Genome sequencing in the UK has shown that the double mutant variant is the fastest growing variant in the country. The number doubles every week.
The “double mutant” B.1.167, first detected in India, is now the fastest growing variant in Great Britain.
The UK has this powerful data because of its amazing sequencing effort. India needs to step up its genomic surveillance at the country and district levels to outperform new varieties. https://t.co/tzk5iw0bM4
– Mukund Thattai (Hatthattai) April 19, 2021
At least 10 countries have reported the double mutant variant, including the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Due to its increased infectivity, New Zealand has excluded anyone coming to their country from India. Brazil was shunned by its neighbors for the same reason.
DO VACCINES WORK AGAINST DOUBLE MUTANTS?
It is not specifically known whether the existing vaccines can work against the double mutant variant of SARS-CoV-2. Many health experts suggest that the variants’ ability to evade the immune system could provide safety cover against the vaccines that are in place.
However, some other experts differ in that the vaccines that are in place do not protect against infection. These vaccines offer protection against the severity of Covid-19 disease. This makes the existing vaccines able to reduce serious complications from Covid-19, hospitalization and mortality. Despite the lack of data, vaccines are still the best choice against Covid-19, experts say.
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