'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.