Deadlier L Type Coronavirus Strain Could be Behind High Death Rate in Gujarat and Indore, Say Experts

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Gujarat has recorded 3,301 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus disease COVID-19 so far till Monday. The death toll in the state crossed 150-mark on Sunday with 100 deaths in the last eight days. The sharp rise in the death toll in the state has worried health experts and the government.

Even in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore, 60 deaths have been reported so far, which is more than half of the state's total death toll of 106. Both Gujarat and Indore have witnessed a death rate of 4.57 and 4.97 respectively, as against the average mortality rate of 3.1% in India.

Now, experts have suggested that a different type of novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 strain could be the reason behind the high mortality rate in these regions.

As per the reports, scientists at the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC) believe that the L-type strain of novel coronavirus, which is dominant in places with high mortality rate abroad, could be the reason behind the increasing number of deaths in Gujarat. A comprehensive study has been initiated to verify if this hypothesis is correct.

L Type novel coronavirus strain

Back in March first week, a study in China revealed that there are two main types of the coronavirus in circulation, which are causing worldwide infections. The team of scientists from Peking University and Institut Pasteur of Shanghai have identified the two viral strains as S and L types.

The study highlighted a peculiar transmission pattern wherein L type coronavirus was dominant until the first week of January when the outbreak was concentrated around Wuhan in the Hubei province of China. As the transmission spread to other places, S type coronavirus became dominant. The study found that L type has a higher transmission rate as it replicates faster in human populations, making it a more progressive strain. These two types of strains have a genetic difference of about 4%.

The L-type strain was later found to be more prevalent in places where the mortality rate was very high, like Italy (26,644 deaths), Spain (23,521 deaths) and New York (17,280 deaths).

Gujarat scientists to study coronavirus strains

The Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre (GBRC) has taken up the study of the mutation of SARS-COV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19 disease. Scientists strongly believe that out of its two assumed variants - the L- and the S- strains, the former is more aggressive and has led to a high mortality rate in the state.

Even in Indore, doctors have claimed that the strain in Indore belt could be more virulent and are sending the samples to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) for more studies.

In a video briefing on Monday, Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Jayanti Ravi said, "The recovery rate of Gujarat Covid-19 patients is slightly lower than the national recovery rate, and likewise the mortality rate is also higher than the national mortality rate. When consulted, our experts on the subject opined that, out of the two mutations, the L- strain is believed to be more aggressive than the S- strain and which is believed to be the primary reason for the slow recovery and high mortality in Gujarat."

"But we need to study that, and our scientists are conducting research on that subject right now at the GBRC," she added.


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