Reports of sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 samples of COVID-19 from PGIMER confirm presence of the double mutant B.1.617 variant

“The surge of cases during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic has somewhat been attributed to the B.1.617 variant strain”,
“Reports of sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 from twenty-three nasopharyngeal swab samples of COVID-19 patients sent from PGIMER, Chandigarh were received on 13/05/2021 from NCDC, New Delhi. Presence of the double mutant B.1.617 variant having the signature mutations L452R and E484Q has been confirmed in 22% (5/23) of the samples after sequencing”, informed Prof. Jagat Ram, Director PGIMER Chandigarh today.
The Director PGIMER further stated that the B.1.617 variant first identified in India last year has been found in more than 40 countries and has recently been classified as a “variant of concern” (VOC) by World Health Organization (WHO). It has been found by researchers that the mutations in the double-mutant strain render it to be more transmissible and vaccine -induced antibodies are somewhat less potent in neutralizing this variant.
“The surge of cases during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic has somewhat been attributed to the B.1.617 variant strain”, added Prof. Jagat Ram.
Detailing further on the findings, the Director PGIMER shared, “Of the other samples, the UK variant B.1.1.7 which is also a VOC and associated with higher transmissibility was found in 39% (9/23) samples. The UK variant B.1.1.7 carries the signature mutations N501Y, P681H, 69/70 Del. The rest of the samples carry the P681R mutation in the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.”