Covid variants not reason for upsurge in cases: India
India yesterday said mutated versions of coronavirus were not responsible for an upsurge in cases in two states, a potential relief for a country where mask-wearing and social distancing have largely disappeared.
Maharashtra in the west and Kerala in the south account for 75% of India’s current active cases of about 147,000, and both states have seen a sudden rise in new infections in recent days, fuelling calls for a faster roll-out of vaccines.
India has reported more than 11mn cases — the most in the world after the US — and about 156,000 deaths.
Actual infections have inched closer to 300mn in the country of 1.35bn people, according to a random study of antibodies done by the government.
A top government health official confirmed the long-time presence of two mutants — N440K and E484Q — in those two states as well as elsewhere in the country and abroad.
Authorities have also found the UK variant in 187 people in India, the South African one in six and one case of the Brazilian mutation.
“There is no reason today for us to believe, on the basis of scientific information, that these are responsible for the upsurge of the outbreak,” Vinod Kumar Paul, who heads a government committee on vaccines, told a news conference.
“We are constantly watching the behaviour of mutations in our country.”
Though cases have come down sharply since a September peak, Paul said India was still vulnerable, especially given that even previously badly affected cities like Pune in Maharashtra were getting hit again.
He urged people to wear masks and avoid social events — guidelines openly flouted by both federal and state ministers.
The northern state of Punjab, which has also seen a rise in cases, said indoor gatherings would be restricted to 100 and outdoor to 200 from March 1.
District heads have also been permitted to decide on night curfews in hotspots, and testing will be increased, the state’s chief minister said on Twitter.
Punjab is one of the worst performing states in vaccinating their healthcare workers, according to the federal government.
India has given nearly 12mn doses to its health and frontline workers since beginning the campaign in mid-January, a pace that will have to be increased sharply to meet the target of reaching 300mn people by August.
Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said India would very soon start immunising people over 50 and those with medical conditions, with greater involvement from private hospitals.