Mutation of new Covid virus stable: Doctors

Bengaluru: In order to contain the mutation to the coronavirus, India has beefed up precautionary steps by suspending the flights from the United Kingdom.

Dr Jagadish Hiremath, CEO of the Ace Suhas hospital explains that often viruses undergo mutations.

"Most of these mutations give rise to ineffective viruses but rarely do we see these mutations giving rise to aggressive forms of virus replacing the original strains in infecting people and creating more problems to health care delivery systems.

Current mutation which we are witnessing in England in Coronavirus is one such rare phenomenon. The mutant is stable, more aggressive and infecting people replacing the earlier strain present," he says.

However, Hiremath opines that it is unlikely that another mutation affecting the virus similarly will happen again.

"The non pharmacological measures still apply & should be continued till we get effectively everyone vaccinated. The vaccine has been found to retain its potency against this strain too. So for now there is not much to worry," he states.

Dr. Vasunethra Kasaragod, Consultant Chest Physician, Vikram Hospital, Bengaluru remarks that the precautions for the new strain of Covid-19 should be the same as for the old.

"We should continue to follow social distancing. Strict hand hygiene practices need to be continued. Any symptoms of Covid need to be brought to the notice of the nearest doctor so that the patient can be tested and treatment can be started," Vasunethra says.

Meanwhile, the government has issued a circular that for all flights arriving from December 21, RT-PCR testing must be done for all passengers originating from the UK, including those transiting in other airports outside the UK.