After a long break, the SARs-CoV-2 virus is yet again wreaking havoc in some parts of the country. A new subvariant of COVID's Omicron called Eris - EG.5.1 - has been detected in Maharashtra, causing a slight increase in coronavirus cases in the state.
Dr Rajesh Karyakarte, Maharashtra's coordinator for genome sequencing and a senior scientist with BJ Medical College, told TOI that the new subvariant was detected in Maharashtra in May with no notable signs in the following months of June and July.
According to data from the state health department, the number of active COVID cases increased from 70 at the end of July to 115 on August 6, leading to a case count of 109 in Maharashtra on Monday. Reportedly, Mumbai has the maximum active COVID cases at 43, followed by Pune at 34 and Thane at 25 cases. Raigad, Sangli, Solapur, Satara and Palghar have one active case each currently, as per data.
As per UK reports, Eris accounts for one in 10 COVID cases and was classified as a variant in the UK on July 31. The UK's Health Security Agency (UKSHA) claims that this is the second most prevalent strain currently. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also declared the new COVID variant as dominant, comprising more than one in six coronavirus cases as of Friday.
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Should India Worry?
Dr Karyakarte told TOI, “As two months have passed since its detection and [there has been] no significant surge in Covid in June and July, this subvariant has not seemed to make an impact,” Dr Karyakarte continued.
“But it will be prudent to keep a close watch on hospital admissions,” Dr Karyakarte added.
In an interaction with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Rajkumar, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, New Delhi, says, "While the emergence of new COVID variants does warrant vigilance, undue worry can be mitigated through informed measures. The Eris variant, like other variants, underscores the virus' adaptability. However, our current understanding suggests that existing vaccines continue to offer significant protection against severe illness and hospitalisation.”
Dr Kuldeep Kumar Grover, Head of Critical Care and Pulmonology, CK Birla Hospital, Gurgaon, says, "The new strain was initially started from the United Kingdom, and now very few cases have been reported in Mumbai. Since the positivity rate or any upsurge in cases have not been reported so far, thus this strain may not be of much concern for India."
Adding further, he shares, "Usually, infected people may witness mild kind of Covid feelings since this is the new co-variant of Omicron strain, but that may not cause any significant harm. As we all know that rapid spread of the Covid strain is characterised by more infectivity and less visibility. But since almost every individual has been double vaccinated and has developed hybrid immunity, the infection spread rate may be minimal, with almost nil hospitalization."
Symptoms Of Eris COVID Variant
According to Dr Rajkumar, common symptoms of Eris remain similar to previous variants, which encompasses fever, cough, fatigue, and loss of taste or smell. To safeguard against Eris and other variants, maintaining established precautions remains pivotal, the doctor adds, sharing, “As the situation evolves, public health surveillance, genomic sequencing, and proactive measures will help us navigate the landscape, assuring that our collective efforts continue to mitigate the impact of emerging variants."
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Preventive Steps Against COVID-19 Infections
Here are some of the ways to protect yourself against COVID-19:
- Get vaccinated as they have proven to be effective in reducing the severity of illness and preventing hospitalisation
- Wear masks, especially in crowded or indoor settings
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use hand sanitiser with at least 60% alcohol when soap and water are not available
- Maintain a safe distance (usually around 6 feet or 2 metres) from individuals, especially in crowded places
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick, and stay home if you are feeling unwell
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or the inside of your elbow when you cough or sneeze
- Regularly clean and disinfect frequently-touched objects and surfaces, such as doorknobs, light switches, and mobile phones
Bottomline
Coronavirus pandemic was one of the most challenging times in the history of mankind. While the worst is way past us, it is important to stay vigilant as COVID-19 is not fully eradicated. New variants continue to emerge and the SARs-CoV-2 virus still remains unpredictable. Make sure to follow a COVID-appropriate behaviour.