Chennai: Seven people in Karnataka have been found infected with the new ‘AY 4.2’ Covid-19 variant, raising fears of a possible third wave of the pandemic in the state.
The new variant is causing havoc in the UK, Russia and China. As Covid restrictions are eased in the state following a sharp reduction in fresh cases, officials are now working out an action plan to contain the spread of the new variant. According to a report in abp liveThe new Covid variant is ‘highly permeable but less lethal’.
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday said that he has already discussed the new Covid strain with the state health minister. “I have been instructed to take strict steps to contain the virus,” he said.
Karnataka Education Minister, BC Nagesh has said that there is no difference between the new version of Covid-19 and the old one and there is no need to panic. The state on Monday resumed physical classes for primary school children.
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Swab samples collected by the authorities in July have been tested positive for the ‘AY 4.2’ strain through genomic sequencing.
Of the seven cases, three are from Bengaluru and four others are from different districts of the state.
Not taking any risk, the authorities have already started tracking down the infected persons. A team will visit their homes to conduct Covid tests on them and their primary and secondary contacts.
The new strain is said to be highly transmissible but lethal.
Experts are of the opinion that people in Russia, Britain and China have different climate and immunity as compared to Indians. But India with a population of 130 crores cannot allow the infection to spread as it can cause disastrous effects and will lead to further mutation of Covid-19.
Meanwhile, seven districts in the state have vaccinated 50 per cent of the target population with the second COVID dose.
In Bengaluru Urban, 68 per cent people have been given a second dose, followed by Ramanagara (54 per cent), Kolar (51 per cent), and Udupi, Kodagu and Chikkaballapur (50 per cent).
Experts have said that vaccination against the new variant is the most effective preventive and people who have received only one dose remain vulnerable to the virus.
Along with vaccination, maintaining social distancing and wearing masks is the need of the hour. If people ignore it, they will be in danger, he said.
The Karnataka government has eased most of the stringent norms of COVID restrictions and life has returned to normalcy in the state. Huge crowds can be seen at malls, theaters and other public places.
(IANS. with inputs)
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