Odisha

No Need To Panic For Mutated Variant Of Coronavirus, Says NITI Aayog

By
OB Bureau

New Delhi: NITI Aayog on Tuesday dispelled the fear of people about the mutated variant of coronavirus detected in the UK by clarifying that there is no need to panic.

The new strain of novel coronavirus does not increase the severity of COVID-19 disease or impact the propensity of vaccines available, a news agency quoted NITI Aayog Member, Health, Dr V.K. Paul as saying.

“As per the information available from the UK where the mutated variant was detected, it does not increase the severity of the disease, deaths and rate of hospitalisation. Besides, the studies suggest that the available vaccines against the SARS-CoV-2 are effective on the mutated strain as well. So there is no need to panic,” he said.

Scientists in the UK have observed 17 changes or mutations in the latest variant. One of the most significant mutations is the ‘N501Y’ mutation in the spike protein that the virus uses to bind to the human ACE2 receptor. Changes in this part of the spike protein is responsible for the virus becoming more infectious and spreading further easily between people.

The UK government has reported the variant to be 70 per cent more infectious. This variant is estimated by the European Center for Disease Control (ECDC) to be more transmissible and affecting the younger population.

Meanwhile, India has banned flights from the UK to contain the spread of mutated variant till December 31. The Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry has also asked the states to send the samples of the passengers who tested positive on arrival from the UK to National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune or any other appropriate lab for genomic sequencing study.

OB Bureau

Recent Posts

CM Mohan Majhi Attends ‘Odisha State Day’ Celebrations At IITF In Delhi

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi attended the ‘Odisha State Day Celebrations’ at the 43rd…

November 22, 2024

Vishal Aditya Singh Calls Shweta Tiwari ‘Mom’, Breaks Silence On Fake Wedding Pictures

Mumbai: Recently, some morphed pictures of actress Shweta Tiwari and her good friend Vishal Aditya…

November 22, 2024

2 Tribal Men Get Life Imprisonment For Gangraping Minor Girl In Odisha

Phulbani: Two tribal men were sentenced to life imprisonment by a special court in Odisha's…

November 22, 2024

Atishi Or Kejriwal, Who Is The Better CM? Delhi’s Lt Gov Takes His Pick

New Delhi: It’s been just over two months since Atishi took oath as Delhi’s chief…

November 22, 2024

Dr Manita Tamang Of AIIMS Bhubaneswar Receives UC Chakroborty Award

Bhubaneswar: In a moment of pride for AIIMS Bhubaneswar, Dr Manita Tamang, a final-year Senior…

November 22, 2024

Amid Fresh Violence, 10,000 Additional Soldiers To Be Sent To Manipur

Imphal: In view of the surge in violence in troubled Manipur, the Central government will send…

November 22, 2024

Odisha Parba Kicks Off In Delhi In Presence Of President Murmu, Dharmendra Pradhan & CM Mohan Majhi

New Delhi/Bhubaneswar: The 7th edition of Odisha Parba got off to a colourful start in…

November 22, 2024

Nagarjuna Played Cupid In Naga Chaitanya, Sobhita Dhulipala’s Love Story; Know How

Mumbai: Celebrity couple Naga Chaitanya and Sobhita Dhulipala are set to walk down the aisle…

November 22, 2024