The meeting was held to discuss evidence-based modifications in testing, treatment and surveillance strategies after new variants of coronavirus was recently discovered in the UK and Nigeria. The NTF emphasized that since the UK variant strain is implicated to cause increased transmissibility of the virus, it is critical to identify individuals infected with this strain and adequately contain them to prevent its transmission in India. NCDC informed that Government of India has taken cognizance of the reports of the mutant variant of SARS-CoV-2 reported from the UK and the response of other countries. A strategy has been put under place to detect & contain the mutant variant," it said. It is proposed to continue enhanced genomic surveillance for early detection and containment of the UK variant SARS-CoV-2 strains.

Source: Mint December 26, 2020 13:44 UTC