double mutation", which has infected 206 people in Maharashtra and some more in six other states.Mint explains what we have learnt so far about the new Indian variant and its potential impact on the second wave and vaccines.How does a virus mutate?Mutations in a virus, like in all organisms, are a natural process due to mistakes during replication of genetic material.
While most mutations are often inconsequential, some can alter the behaviour of the virus, making it more transmissible or deadlier.Genome sequencing helps identify these variants and important ones can be broadly placed into three categories.‘Variants of interest’ have specific mutations that may potentially increase spread or reduce effectiveness of diagnostics, drugs and.