UPDATED: May 12, 2021 15:23 IST
Using term Indian Variant for B.1.617 strain has no basis, WHO has not done so, says health ministry | PTI image
The Indian government on Wednesday slammed the use of the term Indian variant for the B.1.617 variant of coronavirus in media reports. The government clarified that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has never used the word Indian for the variant. Several media reports have covered the news of World Health Organisation (WHO) classifying B.1.617 as a variant of global concern. Some of these reports have termed the B.1.617 variant of coronavirus as an “Indian Variant”. These media reports are without any basis, and unfounded, the statement issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said.
Explained: What Is N440K Covid Variant? Is It More Virulent? Know What CCMB Says
This new variant of SARS-CoV-2 is the reason behind the havoc caused in Visakhapatnam, Karnataka, Telangana, and other southern parts. This virus was also found in parts of Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh.
Outlook Web Bureau 10 May 2021, Last Updated at 7:25 am Representational image Outlook Web Bureau 2021-05-10T07:22:56+05:30 Explained: What Is N440K Covid Variant? Is It More Virulent? Know What CCMB Says outlookindia.com 2021-05-10T07:25:30+05:30
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DNA Special: How dangerous will be the third wave of coronavirus?
Union Health Ministry said that the way the COVID infection is spreading in the country, it is clear that the third wave of the virus is inevitable.
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Updated: May 6, 2021, 06:35 AM IST
The Union Health Ministry on Wednesday informed that the way the COVID-19 infection is spreading in the country, it is clear that the third wave of this virus is inevitable. When this wave will come and for how long, it cannot be predicted right now.
Currently, many variants of COVID are active in India and these variants are spreading the infection in different states and regions. The most dangerous of these is the Double Mutant virus, which scientists have named B.1.617 and this variant is made in India only.
India is suffering the world's worst Covid-19 crisis. The daily infection rate is more than 300,000; the daily death toll, in excess of 2,000, is very likely an undercount.