'Double Mutant' <br />COVID-19 Variant, Is Found in India .<br />The double mutation was detected among samples <br />of the virus collected from 18 Indian states.<br />Indian virologists say that a "double mutation in key <br />areas of the virus' spike protein may increase these risks <br />and allow the virus to escape the immune system.".<br />Such [double] mutations <br />confer immune escape and <br />increased infectivity, India Health Ministry Statement, via BBC News.<br />While virus mutations <br />are common and <br />often insignificant, .<br />COVID-19 mutations in the U.K. and South Africa <br />have been shown to be more infectious.<br />A steep spike in cases, 47,262, and deaths, <br />275, was reported in India on Wednesday.<br />The government of India stated that the <br />rise in cases was not related to the <br />double mutation of the virus
