India / Infectivity of new COVID-19 variant not known, it may bypass immunity: AIIMS doctor

New Delhi: As fears grow over the new COVID variant B.1.1.529, Dr Sanjay Rai, Centre for Community Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), on Friday raised concern over the heavily mutated strain, saying that though we don't know its overall infectivity but the probability is that it may bypass people’s existing immunity acquired through coronavirus vaccine or natural infection.

The AIIMS doctor said if the new COVID variant B.1.1.529 bypasses the existing immunity then it would become a serious issue.

It is a very crucial phase for India as almost all businesses have opened in India and the economy is bouncing back. As the COVID situation has significantly improved in the country, the government is also set to resume regular international flights from December 15 except for 14 countries. However, amid warnings over the new coronavirus variant, it has to be seen whether India extends the international travel ban or goes ahead with its decision to resume flights from selected countries.

India's COVID recovery rate currently stands at 98.33 per cent and active caseload stands at 1,10,133, according to the latest data of the Union ministry of health and family welfare.

Scientists have red-flagged the new variant over an alarmingly high number of spike mutations that might make the virus more resistant to vaccines.

The new coronavirus variant first detected in South Africa has spread to some neighbouring countries. Notably, Israel today confirmed that a traveller from Malawi has been diagnosed with the new coronavirus variant.

WHO assessing new COVID variant

The technical advisory group of the World Health Organization (WHO) is meeting today virtually to deliberate on the latest COVID variant that is the most heavily mutated version discovered so far. The world health body will also discuss if the new COVID variant will become a variant of interest or a variant of concern.