As Maharashtra COVID numbers rise, experts warn of new ‘aggressive’ strain

As the Maharashtra government struggles to contain the spread of coronavirus in a few districts of the state, an expert has said that the virus strain spreading in Amravati and Akola is more aggressive. The government on Thursday brought back several restrictions in Amravati owing to rising cases. The state recorded more than 5000 cases on Thursday, the highest in the country.

The state has reported two more infectious strains that trigger early pneumonia. ” It appears pneumonia is setting in early, thereby increasing the possibility of more deaths if cases rise rapidly,” said Dr Subhash Salunkhe, an adviser to the state, reports the timesofindia.indiatimes.com.

The findings were based on samples collected from Amravati, Yavatmal and Akola. Mutations were found in three samples in Amaravati, three in Yavatmal and two in Akola. Dr TP Lahane, the Director of Medical Education and Research, Maharashtra, told NDTV that it is early days yet and more sequencing and study needs to be carried out to know about the “effectiveness” of the mutant variety.

Maharashtra is the worst-hit state by COVID-19 with 5,427 cases on Thursday. Mumbai alone reported 736 cases. On Thursday, the state government announced fresh restrictions from Saturday to Monday morning to help contain the spread. Also, the assembly of more than five people will not be allowed.