N501Y, a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 found in the UK, has caused a fresh panic-wave in the ongoing pandemic. Several European countries have banned flights from the UK due to this situation. As stated by the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the new strain is 70% more transmissible than the existing strain. There is no evidence that the new strain is lethal or causes severe complications. Although the strain has been observed in the UK, Brazil, and South Africa, it hasn’t been found in India.
It can be diagnosed using the RT-PCR test and scientists are observing the mutant closely. The Director-General of Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) claimed that the vaccines currently under development will be effective against the new strain. Over 4000 genomes of the virus have been submitted to the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) by the CSIR. In…
