The New Variant

The new variant, which has been named “VUI 202012/01”, includes a genetic mutation in the “spike” protein that could be the cause of immediate and easy spread of the virus amongst people. This means, the variant that’s been identified in the UK has 17 mutations that affect the shape of the virus, including the spike protein that gives the coronavirus family their name. The cluster differs by 29 nucleotide substitutions from the original Wuhan strain. 

Research So Far

Britain has some of the most sophisticated genomic surveillance efforts in the world, which allowed scientists there to discover the variant when it might have gone unnoticed elsewhere. It\’s naïve to conclude that the variant was not already spreading widely outside Britain. Preliminary analysis suggests that it is more transmissible than previously circulating variants. There is no evidence that the variant is more likely to cause severe disease or mortality but investigations are going on to understand this better. Scientists will continually monitor this over the coming weeks and study the impact of the mutation that the virus has undergone. There is currently no evidence to suggest that the Pfizer vaccine would not protect people against the new strain.

The virus has forced us to reflect on the fragility of life. No one is safe until everyone is safe. Let\’s not stop taking some simple precautions, such as physical distancing, wearing a mask, keeping rooms well ventilated, avoiding crowds, cleaning your hands, and coughing into a bent elbow or tissue. With small steps, we might be able to prevent the virus from passing on.

This year the basis of evaluation was the response of IPAs to the COVID-19 pandemic.

INVEST INDIA

It is a non profit venture set up in 2009, under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. It is the National Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency in India.

HOW DID IT HELP DURING THE PANDEMIC?

There was a widespread disruption due to the rapid spread of COVID-19 globally and the Indian government took extreme measures of putting the entire country under lockdown. This drastic step drew the Indian economy into battle. However, in these dreary times, Invest India has been instrumental in helping discover innovative startups across India working on solutions against COVID-19 and actively connecting them to sources of funding, technology validation and on-ground deployment opportunities. This helped various start ups to become a force multiplier for the efforts against coronavirus. Invest India has teams handling demand management and adopter connections, across government departments, corporations, foundations and NGOs working at ground level.

This award also recognizes the Indian government\’s efficacious management of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is indeed a proud moment for us and has highlighted the coming age of the Indian innovation ecosystem.    

WHAT NEXT?

There is no shred of doubt that nations won\’t been in a lockdown again, after the devastating effects on their economies the previous time around. It would be better if we make peace with the fact that the Coronavirus is here to stay and learn to live with the virus. Look at Australia, it could avoid a major surge during the southern hemisphere winter because of much better compliance with wearing masks. Living with COVID-19 means we\’ve to ensure that everyone complies with current preventive measures including face masks, social distancing, hand washing, testing and self isolation. It also depends on shielding and supporting the most vulnerable in the society.

We have to maintain the social responsibility by building trust between governments and communities. This can be facilitated through community-based organizations, local leaders and social activists. We have to give emphasis on the social sciences, on data collection and on the translation of the findings into practice.

What if Coronavirus is just an alarm and more severe outbreaks may follow?

The conditions that may have led to the development of COVID-19 still persist in many countries. Outbreaks like these will continue to have a devastating impact on people´s health and on national economies unless we invest in strong, effective and well funded public health systems. For now, until science pulls out it\’s big guns and has a vaccine ready, we might as well spend time with our loved ones and most importantly have time for ourselves. Something the virus might be telling us behind all this chaos.