Indian Covid variant calls in question 17 May reopening in UK, say experts

[Northerner]

The dramatic rise in UK cases of a variant first discovered in India could undermine the country’s roadmap for reopening, scientists are cautioning.

The variant, called B.1.617.2, is one of three closely related variants that were initially detected in India. Public Health England designated it a “variant of concern” on Friday, acknowledging it appears to be at least as transmissible as the dominant so-called Kent variant in the UK. It is unclear if and to what extent B.1.617.2 can reduce vaccine effectiveness.

Prof Christina Pagel, director of the clinical operational research unit at University College London and a member of the Independent Sage group of experts, speaking in a personal capacity said the rise in B.1.617.2 cases was concerning enough to delay the next stage of the roadmap scheduled for Monday, when a range of restrictions are to be lifted.

Indian Covid variant calls in question 17 May reopening in UK, say experts

Highly transmissible B.1.617.2 is now second most common variant and is spreading in north-west England

www.theguardian.com

 

[grovesy]

Not suprised.

 

[Eddy Edson]

Why not keep it locked down for the next few weeks, close borders and drive the thing down to zero.

 

[mikeyB]

The death rate in India per million is actually less than half that in the UK at the height of the first wave, and still is overall. It’s just that 1.3 billion people live in India, so it just sounds a lot when you just look at death rates.

It’s worse in India now because just as in the UK lockdown controls were applied too late and lifted too soon.

 

[Sally71]

One of the secondary schools not too far from here had to close last week because they had had over 100 positive cases within a few days, and all the primary schools in the area were told to send home any children who have siblings there. So the idea of secondary school kids not needing masks any more from next week is laughable round here. I’d rather stay as we are a bit longer and make absolutely sure than open everything up too quickly, no matter how fed up people might be.

 

[grovesy]

The reports I have been reading and seeing, suggest the official Indian numbers are a under count.

 

[Northerner]

The reports I have been reading and seeing, suggest the official Indian numbers are a under count.

Yes, I have heard that also. I've also heard that the death rate is lower in India as it has a younger population.

 

[grovesy]

It appears to have spilled over into neighbouring Nepal, too. Situation there is not good.

This happened last week and they closed the borders.