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The COVID-19 related health crisis is critical in India as it is elsewhere in the world. The authorities are leave ng no stones unturned to contain the surge in new cases, which are increasing daily at an alarming rate. There is a widespread concern among the authorities and general public alike regarding the spurt in COVID-19 cases. Making the scenario worse is the general perception that the spike is due to new strains of COVID-19 virus.
Two new strains of SARS-CoV-2, the COVID-19 causing virus have been detected in India. This was disclosed by the Union Health Ministry. These are N440K and E484K. While making public this discovery, the government made it clear that it was not possible to link the spike in cases to the new variants. In his press conference, Dr V.K Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog, had said: "The two variants in Maharashtra were also detected in March and July (last year)...there was no effect back then. But to say anything definitive about its correlation to (rise in) cases this time is not possible at present." He added that the variants had been detected in labs of Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Consortia (INSACOG).
Making a pertinent observation, Professor Balram Bhargava, the Director-General of Indian Council of Medical Research, (ICMR), pointed out that the new variants have been seen in other countries too and hence can't be labelled as Indian variants of the virus. In fact, there are many other variants in the world, including India. It needs to be understood that the new variants come into being due to the natural process of mutation. Vaccines will help in combating them but it is essential and primary is to take precautions. These are easy to follow and will help in curbing the spread.
According to Dr Shuchin Bajaj, Founder and Director, Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals, "We are seeing new COVID-19 strain, and some newer symptoms are found in patients like fever, pain in muscles, dry and persistent cough, and loss of smell and taste. In addition to conjunctivitis, sore throat, headache, rashes, upset stomach, and discolouration of fingers and toes."
While researchers suggest that new COVID-19 strains may not be very dangerous, it becomes important to keep oneself safe. Here is a list of precautions to take to reduce risk.
(With inputs from IANS)