Coronavirus cases in Maharashtra, Kerala not rising due to new strain: Centre
New Delhi : Two new strain of coronavirus - N440K and E484K – have been found in the states Maharashtra and Kerala, but this is no reason to believe that sudden spike of new cases is because of the new strains, said Centre on Tuesday.
One of the two new strains has also been detected in Telangana.
Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Niti Ayog Member (Health) VK Paul informed that a total of 187 people have been detected with the new strain that emerged in UK and 7 people have been detected with the South African strain in India. Also, one person has tested positive for the Brazil variant strain.
"Both the N440K and E484K variants of SARS-CoV-2 have been detected in Maharashtra. In Kerala and Telangana also these variants have been found. Also, three other mutated strains -- one each from UK, South Africa and Brazil are already present in the country. But there is no reason for us to believe, on the basis of scientific information, that they are responsible for the upsurge of the outbreak in some districts of Maharashtra and Kerala," Paul said.
He also informed that the authorities are closely watching the developments and there are no sign that the surge in new coronavirus cases is due to mutation of the new strains in the state.
Meanwhile, he also mentioned that since the situation is still vulnerable, people must adhere to basic guidelines like wearing masks, maintaining social distancing, hand washing and not getting into mass gatherings.
Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said that a total of 1,17,54,788 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in the country till Tuesday 1 pm, with 1,04,93,205 getting the first dose and 12,61,583 being given the second dose.
