Ever since the second Covid wave gathered strength in India, experts have been trying hard to crack the puzzle whether it’s the effect of the new variant(s), many of which have been found to be deadlier than the original one. Even if comprehensive and detailed findings haven’t arrived as yet and officially communicated, from preliminary data there’s a strong indication that the new variants might be playing major roles. It can be recalled that in January this year when signs of a return of the pandemic resurfaced, there was a concerted attempt on part of the arms of the central Health Ministry not to put emphasis on this factor, presumably with the intention to avoid mass panic. However, as cases continue to rise unprecedentedly defying all calculations and with new findings gradually coming to light, it may be that the new variants may have taken all off guard. If this comes out to be true, it’s going to be double trouble for the overstressed health apparatus of the country. The elovling grave picture suggests that just conventional Covid testing will not do, it’s now time also for genome sequencing, only through which prevalence of the new and more lethal variants can be ascertained and subsequently to be followed by altered courses of medical strategies.
As per reports doing the rounds, the data shared by National Institute of Virology, Pune with Maharashtra labs has shown that out of 361 samples collected during January-March for genome sequencing, 220 or 61% had been detected to be containing the B.1.617 lineage double mutant variant, the most infectious of all Covid variants detected so far. According to medical experts, the B.1.617 consisting of two mutations of spike proteins E484Q and L452R is more infectious and highly transmissible. It’s thus more or less apparent now that due to its high spreading capability, Maharashtra definitely and arguably the other states also are now experiencing the exponential growth pattern of cases. A conclusion can thus be drawn that the scenarios will be the same wherever the B.1.617 strikes. It’s alarming indeed that the variant has managed to reach the eastern part also with Jharkhand on Wednesday detecting four such samples and it’s not sure to what extent the new variant map has extended across the country, only since genome sequencing hasn’t been given due importance till now.
Cases in Arunachal are rising and there has been an addition of 14 as on April 13 which is worrisome indeed. The state health department must be extremely cautious about the new strain and immediately launch genome sequencing with the target of not missing a single individual who has returned from the states where cases are exploding. 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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