India’s new coronavirus variant 2.5 times more transmissible: Study

NEW DELHI: A statistical model by Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai, and Indian Institute of Sciences (IISc), Bangalore, suggests that the new variant of novel coronavirus prevalent in the second wave in India is almost 2-2.5 times more transmissible than the previous one.

The report states that a person infected with the new strain of novel coronavirus is likely to infect over three people they come in contact with. The study also suggests that the COVID-19 fatalities will probably reduce considerably in Mumbai by June provided that the vaccination drive continues without any hindrance. The study, analysing the reasons for the second COVID-19 wave in Mumbai, predicted that the fatalities will peak in the first week of May but by July, the city will be in a better condition.

According to government data, the second wave affected 2.3 lakh people in Mumbai and claimed almost 1,479 lives in April alone.