COVID-19 N440K Mutant Variant: A Matter of Concern or Not?

Amid the flood of newly infected cases of COVID-19 across the country, the new virus variant has taken a new shape and is spreading in the southern states of India. The N440K - new havoc and powerful variant of the coronavirus is leading patients to serious-condition faster relatively. Scientists are researching to find out the potential threat of the double-mutant variant (B.1.617) and N440K. A team of scientists and researchers from Ghaziabad and Hyderabad have detected the new mutant variant N440K of the novel coronavirus i.e. more hazardous and infectious than the preceding variant.

All About N440K Variant

Initially found in Kurnool city of Andhra Pradesh, the virus is spreading real quick in some parts of the state, including Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Approximately one-third of infections in both of the states are caused by this variant and the presence of this virus is rapidly increasing with the second wave. N440K is definitely a matter of concern. Besides this, B1617 and B117 are the other two variants that are spreading rapidly in the southern part of the country. According to the experts, this is 15 times more infectious than the other forms of the virus. It is also being assumed that this is more powerful than other Indian variants i.e. B1.618 and B1.617.

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Why The Virus Is More Powerful

Virus mutation is natural and expected. However, the new variant of novel coronavirus is more potent than the other variants. The N440K is more infectious in nature due to its higher disease progression and shorter incubation period. In the basic variant of coronavirus, the person would take up to a week to reach the stage of dyspnea and hypoxia. However, in the present case, the infected patients with the new variant are going into serious conditions within 3 to 4 days. Reports state that this virus progresses too rapidly and minimizes the incubation period. Therefore, even minimal exposure to the N440K can lead to major health complications and can transmit the virus to multiple people within a shorter span of time.

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Understand The Risk Factor

Experts are assuming that N440K is one of the reasons behind the reinfection of several people and can be the cause of more damage to lung cells and severe infection. This is infectious and dangerous to every age group as people are equally prone to the infection and at risk of evolving serious contamination. Even people with strong immunity and a good fitness routine shall be careful due to the unknown effect of the new variant of coronavirus. The experts say that the new mutant virus is highly unpredictable as for now the only things a person can do is follow proper COVID-19 norms, sanitize hands, wear a double-up mask, maintain proper social distance, and hygiene habits.

A Variant of Concern - What Experts Say?

Experts and scientists announced that though N440K is a powerful and unpredictable mutant but is not a matter of concern as it is being replaced slowly by new Indian variants i.e. B.1.1.7 (variant detected in the UK) and B.1.617 (double-mutant variant). Therefore, the N440K variant is predicted to fade away soon. There are several new variants of the virus that have been found such as B.1.351 (South Africa), P.1 Lineage (Brazil), B.1.1.7 lineage (UK), etc.

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Bottom Line

The researchers are assessing the impact of the N440K variant but the matter of concern at present is the double-mutant B.1.617 which is more infectious. It is better to stay home and follow COVID-19 guidelines to keep yourself and your family away from the impact of this novel coronavirus. Get yourself checked @ home with The Wellness Corner app while consulting with doctors and experts online (chat, audio, or video) if feeling unwell or in doubt.

The biggest challenge then was to find a cure for the deadly coronavirus but the biggest challenge now is to unify people to get vaccinated. Don’t let the sleepless nights of our corona warriors go in vain. If you are eligible, it is best to get yourself vaccinated at the nearest center because there’s nothing more valuable than the life you are blessed with. Save the world from another mass destruction by saving yourself! #IndiaFightsCorona