India’s COVID-19 variant found in 17 countries: WHO
Modi thanks Russia for prompt support; Goa imposes lockdown; Centre turns down UN offer; New Zealand, Canada announce help; virus kills Maharashtra’s former minister
The double mutant COVID-19 variant -- identified as B1617 -- that was first detected in India, has spread to “at least 17 countries,” the World Health organisation ( WHO) has said.
Up till April 27, B1617 variant had been detected in over 1,200 sequences uploaded on the openaccess database GISAID (the Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Data) “from at least 17 countries,” the global health agency said in its weekly epidemiological update on the pandemic. Most sequences were uploaded from India, the UK, US and Singapore, it said on Tuesday.
GISAID -- a German non-profit organisation -- was launched in 2016 as a database for sharing flu genomes.
Globally, new COVID-19 cases increased for the ninth consecutive week, with nearly 5.7 million new cases reported in the last week -- surpassing previous peaks, the WHO update said.
India accounts for “38 per cent of global cases reported in the past week,” the report noted.
The B1617 variant has been deemed a ‘variant of interest’ instead of a ‘variant of concern’ by the WHO. However, the WHO has classified the
British, South African and Brazilian variants of COVID-19 as “variants of concern.” “Preliminary modelling by WHO based on sequences submited to GISAID suggest that B1617 has a higher growth rate than other circulating variants in India, suggesting potential increased transmissibility, with other co-circulating variants also demonstrating increased transmissibility,” the WHO update said.
“Other drivers may include challenges around the implementation and adherence to public health and social measures and social gatherings (including mass gatherings during cultural and religious celebrations, and elections),” it added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin over phone for the prompt support to India amid the COVID-19 crisis, symbolising “enduring partnership” between the two countries.
The Modi government has approved emergency use of Russian vaccine Sputnik-v in India.
The Russian vaccine will be manufactured in India for use in India, Russia and other countries.
An official statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs said that Modi spoke over phone with Putin on Wednesday. The two leaders discussed the evolving COVID-19 situation.
Putin expressed solidarity with the people and the government of India and conveyed that Russia would extend all possible support in this regard.
Modi thanked Putin and noted that the prompt Russian support to India was a symbol of the countries’ enduring partnership.
The two leaders noted the ongoing cooperation between the two countries to fight the global pandemic.
Putin also appreciated Modi government’s approval for emergency use of Sputnik-v vaccine in India.
Both the leaders atached importance to further deepening bilateral cooperation in various sectors in the spirit of their special and privileged partnership.
Modi conveyed to Putin that he looks forward to the later’s visit to India later this year for the bilateral summit.
Goa will undergo a lockdown from Thursday evening to Monday morning, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Wednesday. Essential services and industries will be open, Sawant also said.
Sawant also said, while urging people not to panic-buy. “The lockdown will be lited on Monday,” the chief minister said.
India has turned down the UN’S offer of assistance from its integrated supply chain saying that it has its own “robust” system to manage the logistics of geting material for the dealing with the COVID-19 surge, according to a UN spokesperson.
The Canadian government has announced to provide help of 10 million Canadian dollars (About Rs 60 crore) to India to fight the situation that emerged following the outbreak of the worst COVID-19 wave.
New Zealand is providing support to India in response to the devastating COVID-19 situation facing the country, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta said on Wednesday.
Senior Congress leader, and former Maharashtra minister and MP Eknath Gaikwad succumbed to COVID-19 on Wednesday, party sources said. He was 81.