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Published on: Apr 25, 2021
2 minute read
By: Dr Rajan Choudhary

COVID 19 Mutations: An Update

COVID 19 Mutations: an update

India is currently experiencing a very high rate of infections across the country, resulting in record hospitalisations, ICU admissions and now a severe shortage of oxygen. How did this happen? As with all things, it is likely multifactorial, and blame cannot be associated with one single issue. Socioeconomic issues preventing effective lockdown, stretched healthcare resources, poor communication and maintenance of social distancing and mask use. And of course, viral variants, something we will be discussing below.

GENETIC MUTATIONS

Mutations are integrated deeply into the backbone of genetics. When DNA replicates, its two strands split apart and are used as blueprints to create two new strands, each containing half the original DNA. Mutation’s sneak into the replication phase, and can change the proteins the DNA encodes. If these mutations are compatible with life, they survive and may be passed down the generations. If the mutations provide an evolutionary benefit that improves the survival of the organism and allows it to outcompete other organisms, its descendants will survive, and the mutation will flourish.

Complex organisms such as plants and animals have inherent DNA repair mechanisms that reduce the rate of mutations. This is because most mutations are incompatible with life, as they destroy critical proteins required for the most basic functions of cell function and life. Cancer is evidence of what happens when these repair mechanisms fail. Viruses do not have such protection; when the high mutation rate is combined with the high replication rate, viral variants are inevitable.

COVID MUTATIONS

Scientists have been tracking mutations of the SARS-CoV-2 virus closely. Countries across the world are basing the re-opening and recovery of their societies on reducing infection rates and preventing re-infections through vaccination programmes. If the virus mutates, it can result in increased infectivity, mortality, and potentially the ability to escape from natural immunity offered by antibodies.

Indian genome scientists first detected the “double variant” of the novel coronavirus in October 2020, and in the UK in Feb 2021. It has been on the rise, and B.1.617 accounts for almost 70% of genomes submitted by India to the global database GISAID. It has a total of 13 mutations, which in turn lead to the change in multiple amino acids. B.1.617 has multiple mutations and describing it as a “double mutant” virus is therefore inaccurate.

L452R

B1617 s more contagious because of a mutation in the spike protein known as L452R.This mutation has been studied as it has also been found in variants identified in California (including apes in San Diego Zoo). It is thought this improves the binding to the ACE2 receptors in the lung and may also have some ability to escape from neutralising antibodies.

E484Q

The second mutation is E484Q, which also affects the spike protein to make it less susceptible to pre-existing antibodies, though there is limited evidence for this. Looking at convalescent plasma donated by people it appears to have weaker neutralisation of B.1.617 in some people, though this isn’t a consistent finding.

Mutations at position 484 have also been found in other global variants, though these E484K mutations lead to different functions. One study looking at the UK B.1.1.7 variant looked at how this E484K mutation affected viral interactions in vaccinated patients. Patients who have been vaccinated produce antibodies with a wide range of actions targeting multiple sections of the spike protein. When these patient serums were exposed to the B.1.1.7 mutation, it was found to have decreased neutralisation. This raised the risk of reduced vaccine efficacy and threatened the vaccine programme. Currently, public health officials are confident our vaccine programmes cover the emerging variants.

CONCERNS

Whilst B.1.617 is concerning, it currently accounts for about 20% of cases in Maharashtra, and likely a low percentage of total infections in the country. There is not yet enough evidence to classify it as a “variant of concern”, and further research is required. Though it has increased potential for spreading, currently the UK variant B.1.1.7 may be on the rise, and more concerning. It has over 50% increased transmissibility and 60% lethality and contributed to the UK’s most recent wave of infections. Genomic studies have shown it is now the dominant form of the virus in the Indian state of Punjab.

What is most concerning, however, is the risk of more variants emerging. As the infection spreads unimpeded through the population, viral replication remains at an all-time high, which in turn increases the risk of mutations. Current mutations are covered by vaccines, future mutations may not be. This is why we need to lower infection rates as soon as possible.

Social distancing, use of masks, vaccinations, lockdowns, and quarantine when expressing symptoms. We have to follow public health advice, to prevent our infection rates from spiralling further out of control

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Corporate Health Checkup Packages India: How SecondMedic Is Transforming Workplace Wellness

A healthy workforce isn’t just an HR benefit - it’s a strategic business asset.
With rising lifestyle diseases, stress, and sedentary habits, companies in India are increasingly prioritizing corporate health checkup packages to protect employee well-being and boost workplace productivity.

According to FICCI-EY (2024), companies that invest in preventive health programs see:

27% reduction in sick leaves
22% boost in workforce productivity
35–40% lower long-term hospitalization costs

As organizations embrace digital transformation, SecondMedic has emerged as a leading provider of AI-driven, preventive corporate health solutions across India.

The Growing Need for Corporate Health Checkups in India

Modern workplaces face rising incidences of:

Hypertension
Obesity
Diabetes
High cholesterol
Mental stress
Vitamin deficiencies

The ICMR 2024 Study shows that 60% of corporate employees in India fall into “high-risk” for lifestyle diseases due to long working hours and low physical activity.

Preventive screenings are no longer optional - they are essential.

What Are Corporate Health Checkup Packages?

Corporate health packages are structured preventive medical programs covering:

Vital body parameters
Blood tests
Lifestyle disease markers
Heart and organ health
Stress & mental well-being
Doctor consultations

SecondMedic makes these programs smarter through AI health analytics and digital records.

Why Companies Choose SecondMedic

AI-Enabled Health Risk Profiling

SecondMedic uses predictive algorithms to identify high-risk employees early.

Nationwide Coverage

On-site screening camps and home sample collection across all major Indian cities.

Digital Health Dashboards

HR teams receive anonymized workforce health insights.

Personalized Care for Employees

Nutrition, stress management, fitness plans, and specialist consultations.

Compliance & Data Security

ABDM-grade privacy and encrypted health records.

What’s Included in SecondMedic’s Corporate Health Packages?

A typical package includes:

1. Blood Investigations

Complete Blood Count
Fasting & Postprandial Blood Sugar
Lipid Profile
Thyroid Panel
Liver & Kidney Function Tests
Vitamin D & B12

2. Cardiac & Organ Exams

Resting ECG
Blood Pressure & Pulse
BMI & Body Composition Analysis

3. Mental Well-Being Assessment

Stress and sleep quality screening.

4. Doctor Consultation

A physician reviews reports and recommends action steps.

5. AI-Based Health Report

Predictive insights on metabolic, cardiac, and lifestyle risks.

6. Nutrition & Wellness Coaching

Condition-based diet and fitness guidance.

SecondMedic customizes plans based on company size, employee demographics, and industry.

On-Site Corporate Health Camps

SecondMedic conducts professional, fully equipped health camps at office locations, including:

Sample collection booths
Doctor screening stations
Body composition testing
Mental well-being kiosks
Instant digital report linking to an employee’s profile

This ensures convenience and high participation rates.

Remote & Work-From-Home Employee Support

SecondMedic also covers remote teams through:

Home sample collection
Telemedicine consultations
Digital health reports
App-based wellness tracking

Perfect for hybrid and distributed workforces.

Benefits for Employers

Early Risk Detection

Identify diabetes, hypertension, and heart risks before they escalate.

Lower Healthcare Costs

Reduced insurance claims and hospitalization.

Higher Productivity

Healthy employees perform better and take fewer sick days.

Improved Workplace Culture

Employees appreciate care-driven corporate policies.

Data-Driven HR Decisions

AI dashboards help companies plan annual wellness budgets intelligently.

Benefits for Employees

Know their health risks early
Receive expert medical guidance
Access personalized diet/fitness plans
Better energy, sleep, and work performance
Convenient checkups without taking leave

Corporate Wellness Market in India: Growth Trends

As per IMARC Group (2025):

Corporate wellness market in India will reach USD 3.1 billion by 2028
62% of Indian companies plan to increase their wellness budgets
Preventive diagnostics and mental health are top priorities

SecondMedic’s technology-first wellness programs align perfectly with these industry trends.

AI in Corporate Healthcare: The SecondMedic Advantage

SecondMedic integrates AI across the corporate wellness lifecycle:

Workforce risk scoring
Lifestyle disease prediction
Personalized intervention mapping
Remote monitoring
Automated follow-ups

AI converts employee health data into actionable insights for HR and leadership teams.

Challenges in Corporate Wellness - And How SecondMedic Solves Them

Challenge	Solution by SecondMedic
Low participation	On-site camps + flexible timings
Scattered employee locations	Home sample collection nationwide
Generic plans	Personalized diet/fitness programs
Data privacy concerns	ABDM-compliant encryption
Poor follow-ups	Automated reminders + AI alerts

Conclusion

Healthy employees are an investment, not an expense.
SecondMedic’s Corporate Health Checkup Packages offer organizations a powerful blend of diagnostics, AI analytics, and preventive care - helping build a stronger, more resilient workforce.

Whether you’re a startup or a large enterprise, SecondMedic brings world-class corporate healthcare directly to your team.

Book your Corporate Health Checkup Package at www.secondmedic.com

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