Triple-Mutant Flagged In India

According to various Indian media reports, a third mutation in the Indian double mutant strain of COVID-19, B.1.167, has been identified. This new variant's virulence has not yet been confirmed. Many experts are now hoping that the government will investigate the new variant as soon as possible. The double mutant B.1.167 which many experts believe is responsible for the recent spike in COVID-19 cases was first detected on the 5th of October last year during a genome sequencing initiative. Experts say that since both the mutations were located in the spike protein area which is critical for the virus to bind to host cells, the government should have investigated the matter immediately. The government's response to the discovery of the double mutant strain was slow and ineffective. The genome sequencing initiatives were largely ignored due to the decrease in COVID-19 cases from November 2020. Many experts now hope that the same mistakes will not be repeated again.