Indian double mutant, UK & SA strains detected in Tripura

Tripura has sounded an alert after the double mutant strain of Covid 19, which ravaged Maharashtra was reported in the state.

Agartala: Tripura health department has sounded an alert after the double mutant strain of Covid 19, which ravaged Maharashtra was reported in the state. Senior virologist Dr Tapan Majumder confirmed the case Friday evening.

Not only double mutant Indian strain but also UK strain and South African strain have been detected in Tripura which has become a major matter of concern for the state, said Majumder in a press conference at Agartala. "The deadly Brazilian strain is not reported yet", he added.

The strain was detected in 11 out of 19 samples sent to the National Institute of Biomedical Genomics for genome sequencing. One patient had already died.

In addition, five samples have shown similar behaviour of the UK variant and one is the South African variant. All these variants in medical research are termed “VOC (Variant of concern) variants."

“About 70 per cent of the positive cases in Maharashtra are caused by this double mutant virus. The UK variant is dominant in Delhi and South African strain is mostly found in Punjab”, Dr Majumder told reporters.

He said, these strains are highly dangerous and can even escape the immunity vaccines generate. He appealed to everyone to maintain Covid-19 appropriate behaviour.

“These strains have been definitely imported from other parts of the country. We need to be more cautious as the situation is getting worse with every passing day. At the same time, panic is not the solution. We all have to maintain the prescribed behaviours so that we can win over the virus”, said Dr Majumder.