For the first time, five cases of `Kappa' variant of coronavirus have been detected in Gujarat, the state health department said on Saturday. In May, the World Health Organization had named the new variant, a `double mutant', as "Kappa", after a letter of the Greek alphabet. Kappa is a "variant of interest" but not a "variant of concern" as per the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the release said. The health department has also undertaken intense surveillance in the areas from where the cases emerged," it said. Gujarat has so far reported 8,24,683 COVID-19 cases of which 8,14,265 patients recovered.

Source: Mint July 24, 2021 16:18 UTC