Ought to the India COVID variant scare us?
In India, a COVID-19 variant has a prevalence of less than 10 percent, while there are a few hundred cases in Europe. The variant has two known mutations, but for the first time they coexist as a single strain.
- Countries prohibit travel from India to their own nations because the COVID variant “India” is widespread there.
- There have been a total of 17 million infections and 192,000 deaths in India, and there are currently more than 300,000 cases each day and deaths well over 2,000.
- This is the first time that the 2 spike proteins of the variant “India” B.1.617 have been identified as one strain.
The COVID variant “India”, B.1.617, was discovered on October 5th in Maharashtra, the state in which Mumbai is located. It has two mutations (already known) in the spike protein: E484Q and L452R. This is the first time both have appeared in a tribe. It is feared that the variable could pose a threat to other countries as well. So much so that on April 21, 2021, Italian Health Minister Roberto Speranza signed an ordinance banning entry into Italy for those who have been in India in the 14 days prior to their departure, with the exception of Indian workers who officially live in Italy. All travelers are required to undergo a swab test within 48 hours of their departure and arrival in the Italian city they live in.
According to an investigation by the author of this article at Rome Fiumicino Airport a week before the April 21 regulation, passengers arriving from India were only subjected to a thermal inspection. They were then free to go their own way. At Roma Termini station, they were asked to fill out a form before boarding the train. It is not known whether Fiumicino will be equipped to perform the swab test upon arrival.
