What Is Kappa Variant? New COVID Variant Found In Uttar Pradesh

What Is Kappa Variant: After the genome sequencing of 109 samples in Lucknow's King George Medical University, two samples were confirmed for the Kappa variant of COVID-19 while others were of the Delta variant.

According to the Health Secretary of the state, Amit Mohan Prasad said that the virus is not new as it was detected in earlier cases too. "There is nothing to worry about. This is a variant of coronavirus and its treatment is possible."

Two cases of Kappa variant of COVID-19 detected in Uttar Pradesh: Official statement

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 9, 2021

What Is Kappa Variant: Here's all we know

• As per reports, so far two cases of the variant have been confirmed so far. Both the cases are in Uttar Pradesh but there is no information about the exact district with the infected people. A report by Hindustan Times claims that a 66-year-old man of Sant Kabir Nagar was also tested positive for the Kappa variant, he died later.
• The World Health Organisation's official tracking site also states that the variant is not new. It was detected at first in October 2020 in India. The variant is identified as B.1.617.1.
• There have not been many cases of the variant so it has not been classified as the variant of concern. Kappa variant along with Lambda variant has been classified as a variant of interest.
• Like the Delta variant, Kappa is also stated as double mutant as two mutations L452R and EE484Q.
• As per reports the L452R mutation of the virus can help the kappa variant to escape the body's immune response. There is no information so far about how the vaccines will work with the Kappa variant.
• Both Delta and Kappa variants were first detected in India. The two share similarities as they come from the same B.1.617 lineage. As of April 4, the kappa variant is called the variant of interest as per official records.
• The delta variant was declared as a variant of concern in May this year when the second wave of the pandemic was at its peak. The variant has now spread to many countries of the world. The second wave of the pandemic was reportedly caused by the delta variant and is expected to bring the third wave.