Delhi CM Aravind Kejriwal: The Singapore variant of COVID-19 will trigger the third wave of infections.

No new variant of COVID-19 is identified in Singapore, as mentioned by Delhi CM Aravind Kejriwal.

No new variant of COVID-19 is identified in Singapore, as mentioned by Delhi CM Aravind Kejriwal.Delhi CM Aravind Kejriwal predicted that a new COVID-19 variant detected in Singapore might come as a third wave of infections in India. He claimed that the variant might come as the third wave on Twitter and Facebook without citing any medical evidence or authority. He added that the variant is said to be dangerous for children. He appealed to the central government to take immediate measures, including suspension of flights to and from Singapore and working on vaccine priority options for children.

In contrast, variant B.1.617, referred to by Delhi CM Aravind Kejriwal, was first identified in India. Research suggests the variant may be more transmissible than the previous wild type (first wave) SARS-CoV-2. The B.1.617 variant is considered one of the driving factors in the second wave in India.

The BBC News has reported that Singapore's Ministry of Health has said that Kejriwal's assertion is unfounded. Indian and Singapore officials, along with Indian Foreign affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, condemned Aravind Kejriwal's remarks. Moreover, there are no official or news reports from the Singapore Government about the new Singapore variant.

As per the Singapore Health Ministry's findings, the same variant that was first found in India (B.1.617.2) has resulted in several COVID-19 clusters in Singapore, forcing authorities to take extreme precautionary measures. The Delhi Chief Minister has misrepresented these measures by claiming that there exists a new variant of COVID-19 in Singapore that could trigger the third wave.

Furthermore, there are no reports from WHO showing the relevance of a new COVID-19 variant in Singapore. None of the health authorities across the globe have come forward with the findings of a new COVID-19 variant in Singapore.

Therefore it is clear that there is no new Singapore variant of COVID-19 in existence as per the available information. Thus we can conclude that the information passed on by the Delhi Chief Minister is unfounded and not based on clinical evidence.

The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to a lot of potentially dangerous misinformation. For reliable advice on COVID-19 including symptoms, prevention and available treatment, please refer to the World Health Organisation or your national healthcare authority.