Indian double mutant strain of Covid-19 detected in Assam

On Thursday, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal had an all-party meeting with leaders of most political parties in the state to discuss the present situation and take suggestions from them.

Published on: Apr 22, 2021, 19:46:50 IST

By Utpal Parashar

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Assam recorded the first instance of the Indian double mutant strain of Covid-19 on Thursday, health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma informed.

The strain B.1.617 was detected in passengers who landed at the Dibrugarh airport. Assam had earlier recorded the UK variant of the virus. (HT PHOTO.)

The strain B.1.617 was detected in passengers who landed at the Dibrugarh airport. The state had earlier recorded the UK variant of the virus.

“We have found a patient with the Indian double mutant strain of Covid-19 at Dibrugarh during tests conducted on incoming passengers. This strain spreads very fast and is more dangerous. Hence, I request the public to be more careful,” said Sarma.

The minister informed that though there is an increase in the number of Covid-19 cases in recent days, the state has adequate infrastructure and logistics to tackle the rise in patients.

“We have adequate supply of oxygen, Remdesivir injections as well as ICU beds. If there is a huge surge in patients in coming days, there could be problems. But at present there is no scarcity,” said Sarma.

On Wednesday, Assam recorded 1665 new cases and 5 Covid-19 deaths. The state has 9,048 active cases at present. In view of rising cases, the state government has made testing and seven-day home quarantine of all incoming passengers mandatory.

On Thursday, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal had an all-party meeting with leaders of most political parties in the state to discuss the present situation and take suggestions from them.

“I appeal to all to strictly follow all the guidelines issued by the health department in tackling Covid-19. People have to be aware that unless we take the safety measures seriously, the situation might go out of control,” Sonowal said after the meeting.

According to a state government release, leaders of all political parties appreciated the measures initiated by the state government to control the spread of the virus and assured all support as and when needed.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More

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