Prognosis
Virus Strain Behind Deadly India Outbreak Detected in 44 Nations
- Variant of concern dubbed B.1.617 has triggered travel bans
- Religious gatherings, political rallies stoked spread: WHO
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The more-infectious coronavirus driving a catastrophic Covid-19 epidemic in India was detected in 44 countries, according to the World Health Organization, which urged more studies to understand its severity and propensity to cause reinfections.
The strain, identified in October, spawned three versions -- B.1.617.1, B.1.617.2 and B.1.617.3 -- amid an unprecedented spike in Covid-19 cases that made the South Asian country the site of world’s worst coronavirus crisis.