A new “double mutant” variant of the virus that causes COVID-19 has been discovered in India, health officials there said Wednesday.
The country’s Ministry of Health said the variant had been found in more than 200 samples sequenced in Maharashtra state.
The variant has two mutations in the spike protein that the virus uses to enter human cells.
It’s unclear whether the mutation would make it more transmissible, but other variants with changes in their spike proteins are rapidly spreading around the world.
However, officials said the double-mutant variant had not been detected in large enough numbers to be associated with recent peaks.
‘But [variants of concern] and a new variant with double mutants has been found in India, these have not been discovered in sufficient numbers to establish or direct a relationship, or to explain the rapid increase in the number of cases in some states, ”said health officials. a statement.
“Genomic sequencing and epidemiological studies are continuing to further analyze the situation.”
With pole wires