More genomic testing on the virus must be done; the new strains are pushing India to the brink

A few weeks ago, in a press release the Government announced that a wholly new strain — which it dubbed the “double mutant” — had emerged in India. This was so called because not one major mutation but two mutations to the spike protein that allows the COVID-19 virus to bind to cells had been found. Few further details have emerged since then but epidemiologists believe that this variation could potentially be much more infectious, just like the strains from Brazil, South Africa and the UK have proved to be. And in the first two weeks of April, it is almost certain; albeit until enough genomic testing of the strains infecting Indians is conducted, one cannot positively state this; that the new strains, possibly the “double mutant” strain itself is behind the exponential rise in Coronavirus cases across the country. In fact, India now has the dubious distinction of being the second worst-hit nation in the world as the climbing numbers have relegated Brazil to the third place in the global Corona rankings. ‘The Attack of the Double Mutant’ seems like an apt name for a 1950s campy Hollywood movie but, make no mistake, it appears to be very real right now. And one cannot rest on the fact that these new mutations of the virus that first emerged in Wuhan, China, are less deadly than the original. The fact is that a lower fatality rate is negated when absolute numbers are extremely high, like they are right now. As a result, not only are the cases hitting highs like never before, so are the fatalities.

What should be extremely concerning to the health authorities and the Governments at both the Centre and the States is that the vaccines being administered to millions of Indians every week have not yet been thoroughly tested for their efficacy against the new strains, particularly the “double mutant”. We still are unsure whether Covishield or Covaxin, or even the recently approved Sputnik V or other vaccines approved for usage elsewhere in the world, such as the mRNA-based Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, will be effective against the new strain, either in reducing its virulence or the seriousness of the disease. Despite stories emerging of crematoriums running at capacity and their equipment failing or melting, life appears to continue apace in India. In fact, the celebrations at Haridwar for the Kumbh Mela are a sign that many Indians would rather put their faith in divine intervention rather than the Government. And with the Government leaders campaigning full-time in West Bengal and elsewhere, who can blame only the religious devotees? India is witnessing a record number of new cases daily, but is yet to exceed the 1,290 daily deaths recorded on September 15, 2020. However, at the current pace, that might only be a matter of time before we see that happening. Particularly, once the Kumbh Mela gets over and the devotees head back home, spreading the pernicious virus across the length and breadth of India.