Call
+918447748545

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

www.secondmedic.com

Read Blog

Add Indoor Cycles or Scooters at Large Offices – Promote Movement During the Day

Corporate offices today are larger, more digitally connected and more sedentary than ever before. Employees spend extended hours seated at desks, in meetings or on screens. According to the World Health Organization, physical inactivity is among the top risk factors for global mortality. In India, rapid urbanisation and desk-based jobs have significantly increased sedentary behaviour.

One innovative workplace wellness strategy is to Add Indoor Cycles or Scooters at Large Offices – Promote movement during the day. This simple yet impactful initiative encourages daily physical activity within the office environment, helping reduce long-term health risks.

The Sedentary Workplace Problem

Large office campuses often require:

long walks between departments
elevator use for multiple floors
extended desk time

However, most employees still remain seated for more than 6–8 hours daily.

ICMR and NFHS-5 data show increasing prevalence of:

obesity
hypertension
diabetes

Sedentary habits contribute significantly to these conditions.

Why Movement During the Day Matters

Prolonged sitting affects:

metabolism
circulation
posture
heart health

Short bursts of activity improve:

blood flow
oxygen delivery
mental alertness

Encouraging movement throughout the day prevents metabolic slowdown.

How Indoor Cycles and Scooters Help

1. Break the Sitting Cycle

Indoor cycles placed in designated zones allow employees to:

pedal for 5–10 minutes
refresh during breaks
reduce continuous sitting

Scooters in large campuses encourage movement between departments.

2. Boost Energy Levels

Light physical activity stimulates:

endorphin release
improved circulation
mental clarity

Employees return to tasks with renewed focus.

3. Improve Cardiovascular Health

Regular low-intensity cycling helps:

regulate blood pressure
improve heart function
manage weight

Consistent activity reduces risk of heart disease.

4. Encourage Active Office Culture

Visible wellness initiatives create:

positive peer influence
cultural shift toward health
higher engagement

When movement becomes normalised, participation increases.

Impact on Productivity

Contrary to concerns, movement breaks:

improve concentration
reduce fatigue
enhance creativity

Research cited by global workplace health reports shows that active employees demonstrate better cognitive performance.

Suitable for Large Office Campuses

Large offices with:

multiple floors
wide corridors
campus layouts

can safely integrate scooters for short-distance mobility.

Indoor cycling stations can be placed in:

wellness corners
break rooms
near cafeterias

Accessibility encourages usage.

Addressing Safety and Practicality

To ensure safety:

provide clear guidelines
designate riding zones
encourage voluntary participation
maintain equipment regularly

Structured implementation ensures smooth integration.

Mental Health Benefits

Movement during the workday:

reduces stress
lowers cortisol levels
improves mood

Stress reduction contributes to better overall wellbeing.

Supporting Preventive Healthcare

Regular physical activity helps prevent:

metabolic syndrome
obesity
type 2 diabetes
hypertension

Preventive workplace initiatives reduce long-term health costs.

Encouraging Participation

Organisations can:

track voluntary participation
organise friendly cycling challenges
reward consistent engagement

Gamification increases motivation.

Complementing Other Wellness Initiatives

Indoor cycles and scooters can integrate with:

standing desks
walking meetings
stretch breaks
health screening programs

A multi-layered approach maximises impact.

Measuring Success

Metrics may include:

employee feedback
reduced absenteeism
improved wellness survey results
increased engagement scores

Data supports long-term continuation.

Economic Benefits for Employers

Preventive activity reduces:

sick leave
burnout
productivity loss

Healthy employees contribute more consistently.

Creating a Culture of Movement

Leadership participation encourages adoption.

When managers model active behaviour, employees follow.

Wellness becomes embedded in organisational identity.

Long-Term Impact

Encouraging daily movement leads to:

better cardiovascular health
improved metabolic function
reduced stress
enhanced workplace morale

Small, consistent actions create sustainable change.

Conclusion

Add Indoor Cycles or Scooters at Large Offices – Promote movement during the day is a forward-thinking corporate wellness strategy. By addressing sedentary habits directly within the workplace environment, organisations can reduce lifestyle disease risk, enhance productivity and foster a culture of health. Movement is not just exercise—it is preventive healthcare in action. When offices actively design for motion, they invest in the long-term wellbeing of their workforce.

References

World Health Organization (WHO) – Physical Activity and Health Reports
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – Lifestyle Disease Data
National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) – Obesity and Hypertension Trends
NITI Aayog – Preventive Healthcare Strategy Reports
Lancet – Sedentary Behaviour and Chronic Disease Research

Request A Callback

+91

By using this website/app, I confirm that I am at least 18 years old and consent to the processing of my personal data in accordance with the Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Declaration.