New COVID Variant B.1.1.28.2, Causes and Symptoms.
                     FPPT.com
NEW COVID 
VARIANT 
B.1.1.28.2, CAUSES 
AND SYMPTOMS
Introduction
In a pre-print research paper, which has been uploaded on biorxiv.org, the scholars at the 
Pune-based National Institute of Virology have confirmed the presence of a new variant of 
the coronavirus in India.
Source: www.financialexpress.com
What’s the name of 
the new variant?
As of now, the level of prevalence has not been determined. It is still known by its scientific 
name – B.1.1.28.2. After more studies are conducted and peer-reviewed, the final results 
will be submitted to the World Health Organization. 
Source: www.financialexpress.com
What are the 
symptoms of the 
B.1.1.28.2 Covid 
variant?
The pre-print paper says that the new Covid variant causes weight loss in those who are 
infected. Other symptoms include lung lesions, severe viral load in the respiratory tract.
Source: www.financialexpress.com
Is the new variant 
more severe?
Well, as of now, the research paper indicates that. However, the NIV Pune study says that 
further research is required to understand the potential of this variant. The impact of the 
vaccines and any escape mechanism of the variant also needs to be researched.
Source: www.financialexpress.com
Viral replication 
According to a study by NIV, the B.1.1.28.2 variant induced body weight loss, caused viral 
replication in the respiratory tract, lung erosion. It also causes severe lung pathology in 
infected Syrian hamster model.
Source: www. oneindia.com
What Indian 
Government is 
doing?
Indian government had set up 10 national labs to look into mutants. The government has 
now added q0 more labs to this and they have taken 30,000 samples for study
Source: www. oneindia.com
World Health 
Organization
The World Health Organisation estimated on Monday that COVID-19 vaccination coverage 
of at least 80% is needed to significantly lower the risk that "imported" coronavirus cases 
like those linked to new variants could spawn a cluster or a wider outbreak.
Source: www. oneindia.com
Should we be 
worried?
 Director of ICMR’s National Institute of Virology (NIV) Pune told that the new variant 
(B.1.1.28.2 ) is not circulating and therefore it is not a public health issue. She also said 
that she has been trying to tell everyone concerned too that it is not of any public health 
importance
Source: www.financialexpress.com
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