Iran press/ Asia: "The mutated virus is not more deadly than the original one, but it is much more infectious," said Dr. Randip Guleria, president of the University of Medical Sciences, in an interview.
The B.1.617 strain's mutations are feared to make the variant spread faster and partially evade immunity. The variant is believed to be largely responsible for India's current second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, with infection rates and hospitalizations on the rise once again.
Dr. Guleria added: "Unlike the original strain of the virus, the mutated type is transmitted from the patient to 80 to 90% of the people who have been in contact with him."
He continued: "The most important mutant species are English, South African, and Brazilian."
He concluded: "During the first wave of the corona, people followed health protocols, but now people are less observant of safety considerations and there is a need to expand hospital infrastructure, especially ICU beds."
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