Karnataka sees 12,000 breakthrough infections, but officials say it’s no cause for alarm

BENGALURU: Over 12,000 breakthrough Covid-19 infections have been reported in Karnataka since the vaccination drive began, state health and family welfare department data shows. However, officials point out that the number is not alarming since it is less than two people out of every 1,000 who have been fully vaccinated.
While 2.5 crore people have taken at least one dose of the Covid vaccine in Karnataka as on Friday, over 71 lakh people have been fully vaccinated with two doses.

“Of the 12,000 breakthrough infections reported, less than 600 needed to be admitted in hospital,” said KV Trilok Chandra, commissioner, health and family welfare department. “Compared to the total number of people vaccinated, the number of breakthrough infections is very low and those needing hospitalization are still lower. It shows Covid vaccines have been effective.” Breakthrough infections have been seen in all districts of the state, he added.
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There is no data yet on the number of people who took both doses of the vaccine and yet succumbed to the virus. “We are cross checking data of people who have died and their vaccination status. We are finding out if they had taken both doses,” said Chandra.
Dr V Ravi, virologist and member of the state Covid Technical Advisory Committee, said the number of breakthrough infections in the state are similar to national figures.
“The Delta variant of the coronavirus is known to cause breakthrough infection, but a majority of cases won’t require hospitalisation,” Dr Ravi said. “That has been the experience in the UK. There is a huge surge in the UK too, but the number of patients requiring hospitalisation, and casualties are very low among people who have been vaccinated.”
Dr Ravi said, by definition, a breakthrough infection only occurs two weeks after a person takes both doses. “An infection after one dose cannot be considered a breakthrough infection as the person would still not have mounted the complete immune response,” he said.
However, there are concerns newer variants of the virus could emerge through breakthrough infections. Mutations occur when the virus makes mistakes while replicating itself.
“Mutations of Delta variants are in the spike protein. All Covid-19 vaccines have protective responses against the spike protein. However, spike protein antibodies will not neutralise mutations or prevent infections,” said Dr Ravi. The spike protein helps the virus penetrate a host cell and cause infection.
Officials and experts say vaccinated persons must follow Covid safety norms.