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Published on: Jan 02, 2021
2 minute read
By: Dr Rajan Choudhary

COVID-19 Variant: What We Know About This New Mutation

COVID-19 Variant: What we know about this new mutation

In early December a new variant of COVID -19 was detected in the UK, raising concerns across the world. SARS-CoV-2 has already significantly impacted the world, with 84 million cases worldwide and nearly 2 million deaths. Could the new variant cause further havoc? Is it something we should be worried about? Today we will have a look at what we know so far about the virus.

MUTAGENESIS

To start with we should go over viral mutations. Unlike complex organisms, viruses are highly prone to genetic mutations, even more than bacteria. All organisms including humans, birds, even worms, are prone to mutations as well. However due to their complexity, there is much higher risk of mutations causing significant problems with their cellular and genetic processes, problems that are often incompatible with life, or lead to cancer. For this reason, there are significant genetic roadblocks present to prevent such mutations from occurring.

Viruses on the other hand have genetic replication machinery of poor “quality”, prone to introducing mutations. Since they replicate quickly, with little care on which viral particles survive, it matters little if hundreds of viruses do not survive, as further thousands will and continue to spread in their host. It is for this reason we have such difficulty treating viruses or making viruses against them .

COVID VARIANT

The variant was first picked up by the COVID-19 Genomics UK consortium, which undertakes random genetic sequencing of positive COVID-19 samples across the UK. Since April they have sequenced 140,000 virus genomes, to identify and track outbreaks across the UK. The strain was first identified in September and sequenced in early October. However, the significance of this strain was not realized until the end of the year. By 13th December 1108 cases had been identified across 60 different locations, though the true number is likely much higher. In Norfolk, it accounts for nearly 20% of all samples.

17 Variations have been identified, most significantly in the spike protein the virus uses to bind to the ACE2 receptor found in the lungs. Changes in this protein may have resulted in it being more infectious and spreading more quickly between people. A review of current evidence has shown the rate of transmission was 71% higher than the other variants and may also have a much higher viral load. This has given it an advantage over the other COVID-19 strains- it has already been detected in South Africa, Europe, and America, and it is likely to become the dominant global strain in the near future.

It appears children are more susceptible to catching this virus. The virus propagated at a time when schools were open and running, whilst the rest of the country remained in lockdown. This may have provided a larger pool of children for the virus to spread in, resulting in this change. However, this does not mean that the virus “attacks” children, rather it is able to attach to ACE2 receptors in children’s lungs with greater ease and spread quickly.

VACCINE

The most important question on everyone’s mind – will the vaccine be effective against this new strain? If not, lockdown rules may be extended until new vaccines are discovered, and by then newer strains may leapfrog ahead and make the new vaccines irrelevant again.

So far experts believe that the new variant is unlikely to make vaccines ineffective. The vaccines all produce antibodies against the viral spike protein, but so far it appears the mutation has not changed the shape or function of the spike protein enough for antibodies to fail against it. The antibodies should be able to recognize enough sites on the spike protein to successfully attach, neuter the protein, and present the virus for destruction by the body’s immune system. Unfortunately, it will take some time to fully understand the effects of the mutation, though we can remain hopeful for now

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Weekly Health Roundup Newsletter: India’s Trusted Source for Preventive Wellness Insights

Health information today is abundant, but not always reliable. With countless articles, social media trends, home remedies and conflicting opinions, individuals often struggle to separate credible medical advice from misinformation. This challenge becomes especially significant in India, where rising lifestyle diseases, nutritional gaps and limited public health awareness create a pressing need for accurate guidance.

The Weekly Health Roundup Newsletter by SecondMedic addresses this gap by offering a clear, expert-driven and accessible summary of everything people need to know about their health each week. Designed for families, patients, caregivers and wellness-focused readers, it transforms medical updates into practical, everyday insights.

Why India Needs a Weekly Health Roundup

1. Growing Lifestyle Disease Burden

ICMR and NFHS-5 highlight significant increases in:

Diabetes
Heart disease
Thyroid disorders
Obesity
PCOS

A weekly educational resource empowers individuals to make preventive choices before complications arise.

2. Overload of Health Information

Millions of Indians rely on social media for health advice, leading to confusion and misinformation.
A curated newsletter ensures accuracy.

3. Rising Interest in Preventive Healthcare

People want to understand their bodies better, track health metrics and adopt healthier lifestyles.
The newsletter provides guidance supported by medical evidence.

4. Technological Growth in Healthcare

AI-based tools, wearables and digital monitoring are reshaping healthcare.
Readers learn how to use them effectively.

What the Weekly Health Roundup Covers

• Medical Research Summaries

Digestible versions of new findings from:

ICMR
WHO
Lancet
NITI Aayog
Global medical journals

• Nutrition and Lifestyle Guidance

Includes:

Balanced diets
Myth-busting
Portion control
Affordable nutrition ideas for Indian households

• Chronic Disease Management Tips

Expert insights on:

Diabetes control
Heart health
Blood pressure
Hormonal disorders

• Mental Wellbeing

Stress reduction, emotional resilience and sleep optimisation tips.

• Fitness Recommendations

Simple routines, mobility tips, strength guidance and step-based activity recommendations.

• Seasonal Health Alerts

Information on:

Pollution
Heatwaves
Monsoon infections
Viral outbreaks

• Digital Health Education

Guidance on:

AI health tools
Wearable devices
Teleconsultation benefits
Remote monitoring

How SecondMedic Ensures Accuracy and Quality

Expert Verification

Doctors, nutritionists, physiotherapists and mental health specialists review every issue.

Evidence-Based Approach

Content uses:

Peer-reviewed studies
Real-world health data
National and global guidelines

Personalised Relevance

Topics are selected based on what Indian families most commonly search, ask or struggle with.

Preventive Care Focus

Instead of addressing illness alone, the newsletter promotes long-term lifestyle improvement.

How Readers Benefit

1. Improved Health Literacy

People understand conditions earlier and seek help at the right time.

2. Practical, Actionable Advice

The newsletter offers:

Simple diet swaps
Daily routine tips
Easy-to-follow health habits

3. Early Detection Support

By recognizing symptoms and risk patterns, individuals can prevent complications.

4. Better Use of Digital Tools

Readers learn how AI health guides and wearables support monitoring and early intervention.

5. Family-Centered Wellness

Content is relevant to:

Children
Working adults
Elderly individuals
Chronic disease patients

Example Weekly Topics

A sample edition may include:

"New Findings on Vitamin D Deficiency in Indian Adults"
"How to Interpret Your Blood Sugar Patterns"
"5 AI Tools That Improve Home Health Monitoring"
"Early Signs of Heart Disease You Shouldn’t Ignore"
"Preventive Care Checklist for Busy Professionals"

Conclusion

The Weekly Health Roundup Newsletter is more than just a health update-it is a practical wellness companion. With expert insights, scientific clarity and personalised relevance, it empowers people across India to make smarter health decisions every week.

By turning complex medical knowledge into everyday guidance, SecondMedic strengthens India’s preventive healthcare movement one newsletter at a time.

References

• ICMR - Lifestyle Disease Burden & Research Updates
• NFHS-5 - National Health Indicators & Wellness Trends
• NITI Aayog - Digital Health & Preventive Care Framework
• WHO - Global Wellness & Preventive Healthcare Guidelines
• Lancet - Public Health Research & Behaviour Studies
• Statista India - Digital Health Usage & Reader Behaviour
• EY-FICCI - Health Awareness & Preventive Care Landscape

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