New Coronavirus strain from UK not detected in India yet, says ICMR-NARI Director

Among all samples tested from different parts of India of recent COVID-positive returnees from UK, mutant strain of coronavirus that has been spreing in United Kingdom and is a lot more transmissible was t detected, said Dr. Samiran Panda, director of ICMR-National AIDS Research Institute (NARI), on Tuesday. "We have tested samples collected from various parts of country and haven't seen mutant strain found in UK. We shouldn't think that this will definitely come to India," Dr. Panda told ANI. This is after multiple Covid-positive cases were reported among arrivals from UK. India has suspended flights from United Kingdom effective December 23, till December 31.

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" transmission and severity of disease are t kwn. This particular finding needs to be seen in scientific light and also in right perspective. We need to be watchful as COVID-19 is a new phemen and was unkwn to immune system. virus changes under immulogical pressure for survival and due to proliferation as well," he explained.

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'Wher new strain of virus will cause a serious threat is still unclear'

Speaking to news ncy ANI, Dr. Panda clarified that wher new strain of virus will cause a serious public health threat or t is unclear as of w. "We are keeping tracking of viral geme that is circulating within country. Over last six-seven months, viral geme studies that have taken place involving over 2,000 samples that have t identified this mutation."

He urged everyone to remain cautious and said, "It is time for us to remain watchful but t to panic. We need to keep a track of human beings infected. Many are asymptomatic but those symptomatic, are y recovering well and continue to recover? fatality rate is remaining low? If all clinical indications like severity of disease, fatality rate are remaining low, we don't need to panic at all but we need to be watchful that scientists are coming across."

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"Any vaccine against virus works by stimulating immune response against different components of virus. It is premature to think that efforts to develop a vaccine is going to fall apart. re isn't eugh scientific evidence to say that vaccine is going to fail," he said, seeming very optimistic about vaccine.

Around 20 air travelers and crew members arriving from London have tested positive for coronavirus in India in last two days. ir samples have been to National Institute of Virology, Pune, to check if anyone has been infected from a new strain of COVID-19.

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(With ANI Inputs)