Tag: coronavirus variant

  • Indian virus variant being despatched to UK to verify for vaccine check

    Following a request from the United Kingdom, samples of the double-mutant Indian variant of the coronavirus, suspected to be fuelling the fierce second surge, are being despatched to London to allow wider research on the effectiveness of the present vaccines towards it.
    “The samples of the virus culture are in the process of being sent to the UK. In fact, an exchange of samples of the variants is happening. The first shipment should happen in the next few days,” Rakesh Mishra, who retired as director of the Hyderabad-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology three days in the past, instructed The Indian Express.
    This specific variant, named B.1.617, first found within the Vidarbha area of Maharashtra in December final 12 months, is the main focus of world consideration now, due to its doable function in triggering India’s second wave of infections.
    Scientists nonetheless don’t blame this variant for the surge in India however admit that, not less than, in some areas, like Vidarbha, it may have been the first purpose for the rise in instances.

    Incidentally, this Indian pressure, the WHO has stated, has been detected in not less than 17 international locations together with the US, UK and Singapore.
    In the previous few days, a number of international locations have put restrictions on Indian travellers, apprehensive that they could carry and unfold this variant of their inhabitants as nicely. In a current interview with The Indian Express, Anthony Fauci, one of the vital influential infectious illness consultants, stated that India ought to make samples of this variant out there to the US, UK and different international locations for analyses.

    Mishra stated the request from the United Kingdom was been acquired not less than a few weeks in the past and it was being processed.
    “We are sending some isolates from here, and they (UK) are sending a few of their own. Some final clearances are awaited. Such exchange of material and information is extremely crucial during a pandemic like this,” Mishra stated.
    The B.1.617 variant has, in the intervening time, already been present in UK inhabitants as nicely, in order that it could possibly be cultured there itself. Mishra stated the alternate of samples was nonetheless vital as a result of there could possibly be vital variations within the samples collected right here and in UK.
    “This variant has been found in several people in the UK population now. The transfer of samples was more urgent and relevant two weeks ago, than it is now, but it is still important, because there could be significant differences between the variants found here and in the UK. The transfer of biomaterials takes time. There are international norms on biodiversity that govern the exchange of such material between countries, there are issues of biosafety, and as such several permissions and clearances are required, both in the UK and in India,” he stated.

    Mishra stated as of now the vaccines at present being utilized in India, Covishield and Covaxin, had been proven to be efficient towards this variant.
    “Our own studies (by CCMB and others) have shown that both these vaccines are effective. But we have not tested it against other vaccines, like (those manufactured by) Pfizer or Moderna, because we don’t have access to those vaccines. Those tests would have to be carried out in other countries right now. That is why this transfer of material is very important. Our tests have shown that Covishied and Covaxin are effective not just against this variant but also against the UK variant (B1.1.7) that is widely prevalent in northern India,” he stated.

  • New coronavirus pressure: Self-paid RT-PCR take a look at obligatory for UK flyers from January 8

    Image Source : AP New coronavirus pressure: Self-paid RT-PCR take a look at obligatory for UK flyers from January 8
    Passengers travelling from the United Kingdom to India from January 8 to 31 will now be subjected to obligatory self-paid RT-PCR take a look at on the airport, the Health Ministry stated on Saturday. Flight providers between the 2 nations have been suspended on December 22 within the wake of a extra infectious coronavirus pressure discovered within the UK’s inhabitants. The providers will resume on January 6. This pressure has to date been detected in over 29 travellers in India.
    According to the usual working process issued by the well being ministry, these travelling between January 8 and 31, can be mandatorily subjected to self-paid RT-PCR checks on arrival on the Indian airports involved.
    “Adequate arrangements for passengers waiting for their RT-PCR test as well as test results duly following effective isolation may also be made at the airports in conjunction with the airport authorities,” the rules added.
    Passengers should submit self-declaration kind on the web portal, www.newdelhiairport.in, a minimum of 72 hours earlier than the journey and likewise carry unfavourable RT-PCR take a look at with them. Airlines are tasked with making certain availability of unfavourable take a look at earlier than permitting the passenger on board.
    Passengers who take a look at optimistic on the airport will likely be remoted in an institutional isolation facility in an isolation unit coordinated by the State Health Authorities. They would earmark particular services for such isolation and therapy and take essential motion to ship the optimistic samples for genome sequencing.
    After genome sequencing, if the report is according to the present virus genome circulating within the nation, the continuing therapy protocol together with house isolation or therapy will likely be adopted.

    “If the genomic sequencing indicates the presence of new variant of SARS-CoV-2 then the patient will continue to remain in a separate isolation unit. The patient shall be tested on 14th day, after having tested positive in the initial test. The patient will be kept in the isolation facility till his sample is tested negative,” the SOP said.
    Those who’re discovered unfavourable on testing with RT-PCR on the airport can be suggested quarantine at house for 14 days and frequently adopted up by the involved State and District Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme.
    The central authorities on Friday stated that 4 extra instances of the mutant Covid UK pressure have been detected within the nation, taking the full tally of such instances to 29 to date. They are stored in bodily isolation in well being services.
    Notably, the brand new UK variant has already been reported by Denmark, Netherlands, Australia, Italy, Sweden, France, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Canada, Japan, Lebanon and Singapore.
    From November 25 to December 23 midnight, about 33,000 passengers disembarked at numerous Indian airports from the UK. All these passengers are being tracked and subjected by states and UTs to RT-PCR checks.
    ALSO READ | India conducts dry run for COVID-19 vaccination throughout states, union territories
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  • South Korea confirms first COVID-19 variant circumstances

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    Image Source : AP Medical staff carrying protecting gear put together for a coronavirus take a look at at a coronavirus testing website in Seoul, South Korea South Korea has confirmed its first circumstances of a extra contagious variant of COVID-19 that was first recognized within the United Kingdom. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency stated Monday the circumstances have been confirmed in a household of three individuals who got here to South Korea on December 22. They arrived a day earlier than South Korea halted air journey from Britain till December 31 to protect towards the brand new model of the virus. The three individuals, who reside within the U.Okay., are beneath quarantine in South Korea. South Korea on Monday registered 808 new coronavirus circumstances, elevating its nationwide caseload to 57,680 with 819 deaths. It’s the second day in a row that South Korea’s day by day tally has marked under 1,000. The nation logged 1,241 circumstances on Christmas Day, the largest day by day leap in South Korea for the reason that pandemic started, and 1,132 on Saturday. In latest weeks, South Korea has been grappling with a sudden spike in infections tied to hospitals, nursing houses, church buildings, a jail, household gatherings and numerous different websites. The authorities on Sunday stated it’ll spend one other week earlier than figuring out whether or not to implement its hardest bodily distancing guidelines within the better Seoul space that officers fear would additional damage the financial system. ALSO READ | North Korea has zero coronavirus case: WHO report Latest World News

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