Following standard procedure can help tackle new virus strain, say Experts

The new virus strain: It has scared most people and now they fear that it might be an even bigger threat than the existing virus but experts suggest that there is nothing special that people need to do and just keep following the norms which are already in place to combat the ongoing pandemic. 

According to Anurag Agrawal, director of New Delhi’s CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB) said, “Staying cautious and following good practices should be sufficient (to tackle the variant).”

The standard defense mechanism which includes wearing masks, getting yourself sanitized on a regular basis and practicing social distancing is extremely important and these basic practices will help limit the spread of the new mutant virus strain. 

On Tuesday, six people travelling from the UK were tested positive for the new strain and experts had earlier suggested that the new strain is 70 percent more infectious than the existing one. But having said that, it was also assured that the new strain has not been found to be clinically severe and there is no need to worry. 

These people have been taken to different institutions where they will be examined further while in isolation. Three of them are in Bengaluru, two of them are in Hyderabad while one is in Pune. 

The concerns were further addressed by virologist Upasana Ray who also said that there is no study as of now that suggests it is deadlier than the one before and she also agreed with the assessment of the UK that said that there is no need to worry. 

“The most important step required is implementing the basic precautions like using masks (that many people have stopped using) social distancing etc. A watch on the variant is also important to monitor its transmission and pathogenicity,” Ray said while talking to PTI. 

India reported 14 new cases of the new variant after six were detected on tuesday. The 20 people who have tested positive for the new mutant have all come from Britain. A woman who traveled from the UK all the way to Andhra Pradesh has also been tested positive, spiking concerns about further spreading it.