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The recent spike in cases is ample evidence that the SARS-CoV-2 virus has mutated. This, along with the lack of Covid-19 appropriate behaviour, has led to increased cases. Vaccination could stem that

- Dr KK Aggarwal

AFTER a steady decline in active Covid-19 cases, the country is again registering a surge. Maharashtra, Kerala, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Karnataka are continuing to show an increase. Together, they account for 85.95 percent of the new cases reported from March 2-3, as per the health ministry data. At 7,863, Maharashtra reported the highest daily new cases, followed by Kerala with 2,938 and Punjab with 729.

Several mutations of the SARS-CoV2 virus have been identified in many parts of the world, including India. Worldwide, three major variants of the virus are circulating: the UK, South Africa and Brazil strains. The P681H mutation in Nigeria, Cluster 5 mutation in Denmark and S477N mutation in Australia were isolated ones and for this reason, they remained limited to those geographical areas and did not spread.

In India, the N440K mutation has been detected in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana. Two more mutations—C1240Y and P84T—have been seen in Kerala. Two new variants, E484k and N440k, are believed to account for the recent spurt of cases in Amravati and Yavatmal, the new Covid19 hot spots in Maharashtra.

Among all the new variants, the mutations of concern are the UK, South Africa and Brazil strains, which have travelled to many countries. These strains have not spread much in India and so far, 213 cases of these have been detected in India. The new variants are more infectious and spread quickly in humans, causing either milder or more severe disease, escape detection by specific diagnostic tests and may evade vaccine-induced immunity.