With more than 1.4 lakh new COVID-19 cases registered across the country in the past four days and the total
number of active cases rising for 15 days straight as of Thursday, the task to
contain the spread of coronavirus got further complicated as the
health ministry said on Wednesday that it had identified a new, ‘double mutant’
strain of the virus.

The strain was reported first in Nagpur back in December, 2020, and most
cases emerging from the infection caused by the variant have been reported from
Maharashtra (206), as per an NDTV report.

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The ‘double mutation’ happens when two different mutated strains
of a particular virus come together, forming a third strain.

The new strain is the result of the mutation between L452R, the
California strain, and E484Q, an indigenous strain.

“Mutations in viruses are common… but most are insignificant and
do not cause any change in its ability to transmit or cause infections. Some
though, like the ones in the United Kingdom or South Africa, can make the virus
more infectious and, in some cases, even deadlier,” NDTV quoted Dr Rakesh Mishra,
Director of Center For Cellular & Microbiology located in Hyderabad, as
saying.  The institute was the first to sequence the mutated virus.

Mishra, added that the strain could not be a
superspreader, although it was quite efficient. He highlighted the need to delve into further research to fully understand the nature of the
virus.

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Reportedly, a double mutation allows the virus to escape the body’s
immune system and resist the antibodies in a more intense manner, which, in
some cases, can result in the pathogen defending itself from vaccines.

Apart from Maharashtra, the Health Ministry has also marked six states
where the new strain was noted, with Delhi being the second highest, having a
total of nine cases.