Newsbytes
  • India
  • Business
  • World
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Technology
  • Entertainment
  • Auto
  • Lifestyle
  • Inspirational
  • Career
  • Bengaluru
  • Delhi
  • Mumbai
  • Videos
  • Visual Stories
  • Reviews
  • Phone Reviews
  • Fitness Bands Reviews
  • Speakers Reviews
  • Find Cricket Statistics
Hindi
More
In the news
Supreme Court Of India
2002 Gujarat Riots
Enforcement Directorate (ED)
Maharashtra Government
University Grants Commission
Alt News
Newsbytes
Hindi
Newsbytes
User Placeholder

Hi,

Logout


India
Business
World
Politics
Sports
Technology
Entertainment
Auto
Lifestyle
Inspirational
Career
Bengaluru
Delhi
Mumbai
Videos
Visual Stories
Reviews
Phone Reviews
Fitness Bands Reviews
Speakers Reviews
Find Cricket Statistics

More Links
  • Videos

Download Android App

Follow us on
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube
 
Home / News / India News / Indian experts to meet over new coronavirus strain in UK
India

Indian experts to meet over new coronavirus strain in UK

Indian experts to meet over new coronavirus strain in UK
Written by Shalini Ojha
Dec 21, 2020, 08:33 pm 4 min read
Indian experts to meet over new coronavirus strain in UK

The top advisory body of the Union Health Ministry will meet on Monday to discuss the new variant of coronavirus, which has forced the United Kingdom to impose new restrictions during the holiday season and prompted other European nations to ban travel from the country. Experts from AIIMS, Indian Council of Medical Research, and a representative from World Health Organization will attend the meeting.

Background
What do we know about the new variant of coronavirus?

The new-found variant of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19 has been dubbed VUI-202012/01. It is reportedly 70% more transmissible. To give a perspective, until a few weeks ago, the new strain was associated with 10-15% coronavirus cases in some areas. Last week, it was associated with nearly 60% of cases in London, reports The Guardian.

Statement
This appears to be an important variant: British expert

On Sunday, Britain's top advisory body, the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (NERVTAG), released a summary on the new variant. Dr. Muge Cevik, a member of the group said, "Although the results depend on the quality and quantity of data you feed it, this appears to be an important variant based on genetic data." Notably, mutations in viruses aren't uncommon.

Spike protein
The mutation in spike protein has alarmed scientists

The scientists are particularly concerned about the changes in the new variant's spike protein. The spike protein is a part of the virus which allows it to compromise cells in the lungs, etc. Stuart Neil, a professor of virology at King's College London, told The Guardian that the spike protein can significantly improve the virus' ability to interact with a receptor called ACE-2.

Vaccine
Vaccines might work, but new strain could become resistant

So far, there isn't enough evidence to suggest that vaccines would be rendered useless against this strain. Sir Patrick Vallance, Britain's top advisor, hoped doses will work. But microbiologists feel this version could become vaccine-resistant. "Whilst it may not be actually resistant, it may not take so many changes after this for it to get there," said Ravindra Gupta from the University of Cambridge.

Lockdown
Subsequently, Britain imposed lockdown ahead of Christmas

Last week, UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock claimed that the situation sparked due to this new strain is "out of control." And from Sunday, the government, led by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, imposed a lockdown in London and southeast England, affecting more than 16 million Britons. The permission given to three households to interact for five days over the festive period was rolled back.

Quote
Johnson revealed why the new restrictions are important

"When the virus changes its method of attack, we must change our method of defense. We have to act on information as we have it because this is now spreading very fast," Johnson said on Saturday.

Meeting
As new strain sounded alarm, meeting convened in India

The new strain has left many countries worried, India being one of them. An emergency meeting has been called today, just as the country readies to begin the vaccination program. Just yesterday, Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan hinted that India may start vaccinating citizens from January 2021. Earlier today, Congress' spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill said the Indian government should ban travel from the UK.

Twitter Post
Congress' Jaiveer Shergill said new strain must be studied

New virus strain in UK it’s impact shows that “it ain’t over till it’s over” - Indian health authorities must study UK strain, ban flights from Uk if required people should not lower their guard merely hearing news of vaccine coz #Covid_19 is unpredictable unforgivable

— Jaiveer Shergill (@JaiveerShergill) December 21, 2020
Countries
France, Germany, and Italy have already sprung to action

Learning from the experience earlier this year, when COVID-19 was relatively new, European countries shut doors to travelers from the UK. France has barred people coming from the UK for 48 hours starting Sunday night — even freight carriers have been stopped. Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands have suspended flights from the UK, and Belgium is planning to close borders to flights and trains.

US
US is also studying the new strain

Separately, the United States, which is the worst-affected nation, is studying the new strain. Top health officials said on Sunday that they are "very carefully" looking into developments. However, a travel ban from the UK is not being considered currently. "This particular variant in the UK is very unlikely to have escaped the vaccine immunity," said Moncef Slaoui, chief advisor to Operation Warp Speed.

Share this timeline
Facebook
Whatsapp
Twitter
Linkedin
Shalini Ojha
Shalini Ojha
Twitter
A mathematics graduate, I handle the national desk. Always looking for items to read, I started off as an entertainment beat writer and made the switch three years into my career. My talents include breaking news and being on top of trending topics.
Latest
All India Institute Of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)
United Kingdom
The Guardian
Harsh Vardhan
Related
Latest
Protest against Metro Car Shed in Aarey gains steam again
Protest against Metro Car Shed in Aarey gains steam again India
Students display innovation prowess at IIT Bombay's Invention Factory 2022
Students display innovation prowess at IIT Bombay's Invention Factory 2022 Career
Formula 1, Carlos Sainz wins the British GP: Key stats
Formula 1, Carlos Sainz wins the British GP: Key stats Sports
Wimbledon: Sania Mirza and Mate Pavic reach mixed doubles quarter-finals
Wimbledon: Sania Mirza and Mate Pavic reach mixed doubles quarter-finals Sports
Decoding the 2022 summer transfer window plans of Atletico Madrid
Decoding the 2022 summer transfer window plans of Atletico Madrid Sports
All India Institute Of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)
AIIMS has issued a warning about eating momos. Here's why
AIIMS has issued a warning about eating momos. Here's why Lifestyle
Ex-telecom minister Sukh Ram dies at 94; cremation on Thursday
Ex-telecom minister Sukh Ram dies at 94; cremation on Thursday Politics
AIIMS Delhi nurses' union launches indefinite strike today: Details here
AIIMS Delhi nurses' union launches indefinite strike today: Details here India
Amid Delhi's COVID-19 surge, 100+ healthcare workers test positive
Amid Delhi's COVID-19 surge, 100+ healthcare workers test positive India
Former PM Manmohan Singh diagnosed with dengue; condition improving: AIIMS
Former PM Manmohan Singh diagnosed with dengue; condition improving: AIIMS India
More News
United Kingdom
CEO quits $68billion investment firm to chill at the beach
CEO quits $68billion investment firm to chill at the beach Business
#NewsBytesExplainer: How dangerous is poliovirus found in London sewage
#NewsBytesExplainer: How dangerous is poliovirus found in London sewage Technology
DRDO engineer held for leaking information on India's missile program
DRDO engineer held for leaking information on India's missile program India
UK government approves Wikileaks founder Julian Assange's extradition to US
UK government approves Wikileaks founder Julian Assange's extradition to US World
BJP's global outreach program: JP Nadda to meet 13 envoys
BJP's global outreach program: JP Nadda to meet 13 envoys Politics
More News
The Guardian
Death of 16-month-old, abused by adoptive parents, angers South Korea
Death of 16-month-old, abused by adoptive parents, angers South Korea World
UK to Japan: These countries have reported new coronavirus strain
UK to Japan: These countries have reported new coronavirus strain World
Italy: Students protest over school closures due to COVID-19
Italy: Students protest over school closures due to COVID-19 World
Trump fires official who rejected conspiracy theories about election fraud
Trump fires official who rejected conspiracy theories about election fraud World
US poll tracker: Who will win, Biden or Trump?
US poll tracker: Who will win, Biden or Trump? World
More News
Harsh Vardhan
Meet Mansukh Mandaviya, who replaced Harsh Vardhan as Health Minister
Meet Mansukh Mandaviya, who replaced Harsh Vardhan as Health Minister Politics
Harsh Vardhan, Ravi Shankar, Prakash Javadekar quit before Cabinet reshuffle
Harsh Vardhan, Ravi Shankar, Prakash Javadekar quit before Cabinet reshuffle Politics
July has come, vaccines haven't, says Rahul; BJP hits back
July has come, vaccines haven't, says Rahul; BJP hits back Politics
India strongly opposes 'COVID-19 vaccine passport' idea at G7 meet
India strongly opposes 'COVID-19 vaccine passport' idea at G7 meet India
Gehlot slams Dr. Vardhan on issue of availability of vaccines
Gehlot slams Dr. Vardhan on issue of availability of vaccines Politics
More News
Related
COVID-19 recombinant strains found in 7 Indian states: Report
COVID-19 recombinant strains found in 7 Indian states: Report India
Next News Article
Next News Article

Love India news?

Subscribe to stay updated.

India Thumbnail
India News Business News World News Politics News Sports News Technology News Entertainment News Auto News Lifestyle News Inspirational News
Career News Bengaluru News Delhi News Mumbai News Mukesh Ambani Indian Premier League (IPL) Karnataka Samsung Xiaomi West Bengal
Bihar Virat Kohli Rohit Sharma Haryana Narendra Modi Arvind Kejriwal Tamil Nadu Gujarat Yogi Adityanath YouTube
Instagram Hollywood News Uttar Pradesh Kerala Netflix Bollywood News Mamata Banerjee Maruti Suzuki Rahul Gandhi Elon Musk
Shah Rukh Khan Chelsea FC OPPO Akhilesh Yadav Indian Cricket Team Apple Manchester United Salman Khan Cryptocurrency OnePlus
Amitabh Bachchan ICC Women's World Cup Vivo India vs Sri Lanka
About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us Ethical Conduct Grievance Redressal News News Archive Topics Archive IPL 2022 Schedule IPL 2022 Points Table Find Cricket Statistics
Follow us on
Facebook Twitter Linkedin Youtube
All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2022