The Health Ministry’s medical analysts are under the suspicion that the present-day coronavirus could be related to the new variant of COVID-19. It was observed that transmission and the spread of the virus today, is totally different compared to the past.
According to research by Lancet, the oldest and the best-known general medical journal in the world, the new variant of the coronavirus is up to 70 per cent more contagious.
However, to confirm that it is the new variant in Bhutan, the Royal Centre for Disease Control (RCDC) will send samples to Bangkok for lab testing.
Although the new variant, the virus, according to Dr Tshokey of the National Referral Hospital and also the member of the National COVID-19 Technical Advisory Group, is still the COVID-19 SARS COVID 2 virus.
”It’s just that it might have undergone mutation and has changed behaviour in terms of its ability to transmit and cause diseases,’’ he said.
According to observations made by the team, the virus, in its previous strain, affected only a few members of the same family. However, the present strain is very infectious whereby it is found to infect people even with brief contact or exposure.
Dr Tshokey further added that it could only be confirmed after the test result if the present virus that is being transmitted is the new variant.
The new variant of the virus was first detected in the UK in September. Today, more than 20 countries including Japan, France, Spain, Sweden, and Canada, and territories across the world have confirmed the outbreak of the new variant.
Meanwhile, the health ministry advises people to be extra cautious and take all possible safety precautions to prevent more transmission in the community.
Sonam Pem
