Targeting UPSC CSE

 First reported to WHO on December 14. Increased Virulence. India needs mass genomic surveillance for that India has formed a consortium of leading genomics labs to make genome surveillance a routine continuous exercise which can shore up India's defenses against this pandemic and those of future.

 In a study of 120 unique variants reported in literature based on genome sequencing of the SARSCoV2 virus, the team found that 86 were genetic variants associated with immune escapes.  Of the 86 variants, nine had over 1% frequency in the respective countries. Variant N440K : frequency of 2.1% in India, Prevalence in A.P. Identified in UK, Denmark, Australia.an example of Homoplasy. found in healthcare worker, who was reinfected. N501Y : independently emerged in UK, then in South Africa. Made virus more transmissible.