Press Information Bureau (PIB) releases an update on the new variant of Covid-19 on 15.05.2021. When the Covid-19 pandemic started in 2020, a Pan India Genome sequencing initiative was launched to study the virus. The data revealed there were mutations although there were not found to be very impactful. After a new variant was reported in the UK, INSACOG- Indian Sars CoV 2 Consortium of Genome Sequencing (a consortium of national laboratories) was set up to sequence samples from across the country and identify any new variants.
The scientists have tracked known variants of concern B1.1 7, B1351, and identifying a new one BI 617 within a couple of months. A number of other mutations have also been identified but they have shown no relevance with regard to the specific sequence impacted. After correlating with clinical data, it was noted that there was a Variant of Interest B1.617. The transmission rates are high although no sufficient data is available to confirm the severity and mortality due to this variant. The effect of vaccines- Covishield, Covaxin and Sputnik on these variants are being studied and tested.
