Covid-19 new virus: All you need to know about the mutant strain

The COVID-19 pandemic is an ongoing threat that started back in March 2020, and just when the world was ready to welcome the New Year with more hope, the information regarding a new coronavirus strain being identified in the United Kingdom (UK) created an air of uncertainty and panic.

Unfortunately, there are still too many unknowns when we talk about the ‘mutated’ version of the coronavirus. Though vaccine development and distribution drives are being conducted in various parts of the world, people are somewhat worried and uninformed about the new variant, codenamed as B.1.1.7.

Here is everything you need to know about the Mutated UK virus strain:

The World Health Organization defines mutation as a process during which a virus replicates or makes copies of itself and sometimes changes a little bit. Moreover, a virus that has one or several new mutations is referred to as a “variant” of the original virus”.

In London and the other parts of the UK, the infection is spreading like wildfire once again which has led the authorities to declare a complete lockdown with way more strict rules and restrictions.

First few cases

The world first heard about the confirmed cases of the new variant around mid-December in 2020, right after that the authorities said that it was ‘out of control’. Although experts believe that it could have been going around the region since September but no one paid any heed as there were no large-scale infections. Reportedly, around 60 % of the patients in the UK have already been infected with the new variant.

Should one be more worried?

Many health experts and renowned pharmaceutical companies explain that the new variant is allegedly more transmissible but there is no evidence as of yet that claims it to be more fatal. Scientists suggest people to not take it lightly as it has many mutations, nearly two dozen, and some are on the spiky protein that the virus uses to attach to and infect cells.

Do we need a new vaccine?

Scientists around the world believe that there is no evidence that the vaccines that are currently being deployed in the UK and other countries cannot protect against the variant. However, pharma effectiveness of available vaccines on the new mutation is a subject to more research.

The first case of the new variant of Covid-19 was first reported in Britain. Unfortunately, the mutated version is now being reported in several countries including Denmark, the Netherlands, Australia, Italy, Sweden, France, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Canada, Japan, Lebanon, and Singapore.

This blog is solely intended for educational/informational/awareness purposes and is not a substitute for any professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your doctor/healthcare professional before acting on the information provided on the blog. Reliance on any or all information provided in the blog is solely at your own risk and responsibility. Mankind Pharma Limited shall not be held liable, in any circumstance whatsoever.