Telangana: New virus strain cause of spike in Covid deaths

Hyderabad: Covid-19 deaths in Telangana are on the rise for the last two weeks and what is more worrying is the rate at which the deaths are occurring. Patients are dying within a day or two after being tested positive.

This is becoming a regular feature at Gandhi, the main government-designated Covid hospital. Understandably Gandhi doctors could observe this change and also discussed it.

They stated that off late the infected patients are developing problems in lungs very quickly leading to deterioration of health. "Earlier we could gauge the health condition of the infected patients and their recovery, but deaths in a matter of just one or two days after testing positive is a matter of concern," a doctor said under condition of anonymity. But what health experts suspect is whether a different virus strain has entered the state and is proving to be dangerous.

With an influx of migrants from neighboring states like Maharashtra, there are very chances of a new virus strain entering the state and taking a heavy toll of the patients. According to the experts, coronavirus has differentiated into at least 10 clades globally during its transmission and is continuously spreading.A study by the CCMB concluded that a clade (I/A3i) was predominant in Maharashtra, Delhi, Tamil Nadu and even Telangana.

This clade has four variants with three of it having neutral effects even after mutations. One variant (C13730T) is more deleterious means it can cause harm and damage in an unexpected way. Sharing his thoughts, Dr Kiran Madhala, Anesthesia HoD from Govt Medical College, Nizamabad, opined that the influx of migrant workers might have changed the dynamics of this deleterious variant across the states where it is more predominant. He felt further genome analysis is required to confirm whether this particular deleterious variant may be linked to high mortality.

Strain on health

♦ Deaths doubled during the last 10 days in the state

♦ 59-year-old male from Old Malakpet died in a single day

♦ 60-year-old female from Charminar died of Covid in 2 days

♦ 70-year-old male from Tappachabutra died in 3 days

♦ 39-year-old female from Sanathnagar died in 5 days after admission