‘Mu’ Variant Of Covid-19 Might Increase Severity Though Not Proven Yet: Top Odisha Health Official

As the Covid-19 infection graph continues its declining trend in Odisha, health officials in the State said the situation is gradually improving in the Twin Cities of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar.

While the total active cases in Bhubaneswar stand at 3068, Cuttack has a total of 871 active cases. 

Dr. Niranjan Mishra, Director of Public Health in Odisha said though the Covid-19 situation is normalising in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, people need to strictly follow Covid appropriate behaviour.

“People around you might be the carriers of Coronavirus. Therefore, keep distance. Do not be complacent if you have taken vaccine and, if you want to prevent your children from getting infected, you should first protect yourself from the virus. Therefore, social distancing, use of mask and sanitisation is mandatory,” said Mishra.

If people do not abide by the Covid protocols, the chance of the outbreak of third wave will increase and children will be the most impacted category, he added.

As compared to the other districts of the State, the Covid-19 cases are slowly going down in the Twin cities. Reason, higher population of the two cities, claimed Mishra.

Speaking on the Covid-19 booster dose amid the fears of new Delta variant of Coronavirus, Mishra said, “The trials are on. After obtaining data on the presence of the amount of anti-bodies following one or two years of getting second dose are over it will be clear if a booster dose is required or not. At present, it is too early to say anything about it,” he added. 

On the other hand, the Director of Medical Education & Training (DMET) Dr CBK Mohanty said that the new coronavirus variant named ‘Mu’ might increase severity. However, it has not been proved yet.

The World Health Organization (WHO) had named the new ‘variant of interest’ of the coronavirus, called the ‘Mu’ variant. It was first found in Colombia in January 2021, and has been found in about 39 countries so far.

“Overcrowding is high in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar as the population in these two cities is high. Therefore, social distancing is not being practiced properly. If people don't obey Covid protocols, the third wave looks like inevitable,” Mohanty said.