UK health authorities concerned about a particular COVID-19 Indian variant
Health authorities in England are believed to be especially concerned about one strain out of three Indian variants they have been tracking since last month. According to a report based on leaked data by the BBC, Public Health England (PHE) is said to have recommended the B.1.617.2 version of the Indian variant to be classed as Variant of Concern (VOC).
About 500 cases reported across England of the concerned variant
This version appears to spread more quickly than two other identified subtypes of the Indian variant. The version, along with B.1.617 and B.1.617.3, have been classed as Variant Under Investigation (VUI). The latest surveillance data released by PHE indicates 61 more cases of the B.1.617 variant with the other two versions still under review, taking the total number of cases to around 500.
No evidence that the Indian variants are resistant to vaccines
Experts believe variant B.1.617.2 is at least as transmissible as the so-called Kent variant, which had been detected in England at the end of last year and led to the UK's second wave surge in coronavirus infections earlier this year. According to the report, there is no evidence that the Indian variants are resistant to vaccines as of now.
Report doesn't mention the South African variant
The report does not feature the E.484K mutation found in the South African variant, which could help the virus dodge a person's immune system. The Kent, South Africa and Brazil strains have all been deemed VOC in the UK. These versions, along with the India variant, have undergone changes in their spike protein, the part of the virus which attaches to human cells.
B.1.617.2 COVID-19 variant responsible for current surge in India
Viruses by nature mutate, producing different versions of themselves. Most of these mutations are insignificant but some can make the virus more contagious and harder to vaccinate against. The Indian variant is believed to be largely behind the current surge in infections in India's ongoing severe second wave of the pandemic. The PHE denied any comment on the leaked data.
