COVID-19 virus variant in India ‘of global concern’ – WHO
The World Health Organisation (WHO) said, the COVID-19 variant first identified in the country last year was being classified as a variant of global concern, with some preliminary studies showing that it spreads more easily.
The Health Ministry data showed that, India’s daily Corona Virus cases rose by 329,942, while deaths from the disease rose by 3,876, making the total number of the infection 22.99 million, and fatalities at 249,992.
India leads the world in the daily average number of new deaths reported, accounting for one in every three deaths reported worldwide each day. The seven-day average of new cases is at a record high of 390,995.
WHO technical lead on COVID-19, Maria Van Kerkhove said, “We are classifying this as a variant of concern at a global level, there is some available information to suggest increased transmissibility.”
Nations around the globe have sent oxygen cylinders and other medical gear to support India’s crisis, but many hospitals around the nation are struggling with a shortage of the life-saving equipment.
Adding to the strain on medical facilities, the Indian government has told doctors to look out for signs of mucormycosis or black fungus in COVID-19 patients as hospitals report a rise in cases of the rare but potentially fatal infection.
The disease, which can lead to blackening or discolouration over the nose, blurred or double vision, chest pain, breathing difficulties and coughing blood, is strongly linked to diabetes and diabetes can in turn be exacerbated by steroids such as dexamethasone, used to treat severe COVID-19.
Some believers in India have been going to cow shelters once a week to cover their bodies in cow dung and urine in the hope it will boost their immunity against, or help them recover from virus.
Medical authorities have warned against this practice, saying there is no scientific evidence for its effectiveness and that it risk the spread of other diseases.
Felicia/ Reuters
