Just when we thought that 2021 would be the end of this much horrifying movie of 2020, recent events imply that 2020 was just a trailer and the most heart shaking climax yet awaits. While we all have high hopes for the arrival of the vaccine, the certainty that it will eradicate all our sufferings is still probable. Number of people testing positive for COVID-19 has been increasing ever since. While a lot of them are recovering, the fact that a lot are dying as well cannot be ignored. While the world was facing tremendous difficulty in combating the existing virus, a newly identified strain has left the people even more puzzled. In one of its recent press conferences, the UK government has declared that they have identified a highly contagious new strain of the virus in England.
While the country was already battling corona virus, the spread of this new virus in London and surrounding areas has forced the government to impose its most stringent lockdown in the country.
The new strain was named ‘VUI – 202012/01’ i.e. the first Variant Under Investigation in December 2020. Viruses are generally not expected to mutate, variants of SARS-CoV-2 have also been observed in other countries such as Spain. Reports and researchers suggest that the new variant is 70% more transferable than the old variant. Also, it is affecting the fairly young population of 30-60 years.
While the new strain is spreading rapidly throughout the globe, no such cases of the said virus have been found in India as yet. Denmark, Belgium, Netherlands and Australia have also been detected with the said virus. With the method to detect the new strain becoming more widespread, there is a possibility that many new strains might come into notice like that in South Africa. Commenting on the new strain and the panic it has caused amongst the people, Dr Rahul Pandit, Director-Critical Care, Fortis Hospitals Mumbai and a member of Maharashtra’s COVID-19 task force said, “Some genetic changes are inconsequential. Researchers have recorded thousands of tiny modifications in the generic material of coronavirus, since the virus has travelled across the globe. The recently identified British variant has affected how the virus locks onto human cells and infects them.” Vaccine for corona virus has not yet passed all phases of testing and approval. At this stage, a new virus further leads to a series of questions such as will the vaccine be effective? Or will it be able to combat the new strains found? Or how long will it take to find major of the consequential variants and develop vaccines for them.
While the country was already battling corona virus, the spread of this new virus in London and surrounding areas has forced the government to impose its most stringent lockdown in the country.
The new strain was named ‘VUI – 202012/01’ i.e. the first Variant Under Investigation in December 2020. Viruses are generally not expected to mutate, variants of SARS-CoV-2 have also been observed in other countries such as Spain. Reports and researchers suggest that the new variant is 70% more transferable than the old variant. Also, it is affecting the fairly young population of 30-60 years.
While the new strain is spreading rapidly throughout the globe, no such cases of the said virus have been found in India as yet. Denmark, Belgium, Netherlands and Australia have also been detected with the said virus. With the method to detect the new strain becoming more widespread, there is a possibility that many new strains might come into notice like that in South Africa. Commenting on the new strain and the panic it has caused amongst the people, Dr Rahul Pandit, Director-Critical Care, Fortis Hospitals Mumbai and a member of Maharashtra’s COVID-19 task force said, “Some genetic changes are inconsequential. Researchers have recorded thousands of tiny modifications in the generic material of coronavirus, since the virus has travelled across the globe. The recently identified British variant has affected how the virus locks onto human cells and infects them.” Vaccine for corona virus has not yet passed all phases of testing and approval. At this stage, a new virus further leads to a series of questions such as will the vaccine be effective? Or will it be able to combat the new strains found? Or how long will it take to find major of the consequential variants and develop vaccines for them.
The series of questions is never ending as the people are panic stricken. Both the front-line warriors and the government are giving their best shot and doing everything within their reach. With festivities being around the corner, there was high risk of the spread of virus, hence government imposed various restrictions including night curfews, setting maximum people allowed limit, etc. Grand New Year parties have also been called out.
In times like these each and every individual is expected to do their best, thus people are expected to follow social distancing norms, wear masks, wash hands regularly to help them stay safe while vaccine is being developed.
By: -Krati Bhansali
Source:
Time of India
Indian Express
The Quint
