March 03, 2021 – 6:08 pm Clock
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Six first corona self-tests approved for use at home
A new variant of the coronavirus is spreading in New York, worrying scientists. Little is known about the new variant, which was christened B.1.526. But according to a Columbia University report, it has been spreading at an alarming rate since December. So how dangerous is the New York variant? Dr. Georg-Christian Zinn, Director of the Bioscientia Hygiene Center, assesses this in the video above.
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Dr. Tin about the currently most relevant coronavirus variants
Which corona variants are currently still available and how dangerous are they? Dr. Zinn has assessed the most relevant mutations in Germany:
The British coronavirus variant B1.1.7 spread quickly: “90 percent of the evidence in Great Britain is now this British variant. It is very, very contagious because it docks very easily with the receptors in the nose and throat,” explains Dr . Zinn in conversation with RTL. In Europe, this variant now accounts for almost half of all evidence – in Germany an estimated 40 to 50 percent. According to Zinn, it is the most relevant mutation in this country. The vaccines work well against them.
- South African variant
“In addition to being easily infected, the South African mutation B.1.351 has the peculiarity that it can cause reinfection. Someone who has already had Corona can get it again,” said Dr. Tin. In Tyrol and in the French department of Moselle, which borders the Saarland and Rhineland-Palatinate, there are already many cases. Now it must be prevented that the mutation can spread in Germany.
The Brazilian virus mutation P.1. is still very rare in Europe because travel options to Europe were extremely limited in time. It is also highly contagious and reinfections, explains Dr. Zinn: “There we have solid evidence from the city of Manaus on the Amazon, where we actually had herd immunity among the population and are now experiencing a very severe second wave, where many people have become sick again. We hope that this Brazilian variant through the Travel restrictions can be curbed. “
With the Californian variant you can see that many people are easily infected. It is currently being checked whether she also makes reinfections and whether she also responds to the vaccinations.
According to Dr. Tin there is a remarkable parallel with the coronavirus mutations: “Interestingly, we see all these mutants in countries that were very badly affected by the first wave, where many people were infected and then mutations could develop in people.” According to the experts, the New York variant will certainly not be the last mutation we are talking about.
READ TIP: This is how the corona mutations are spreading in Germany
Can you travel to Germany from Brazil and New York?
Corona-related travel warnings apply in both New York and Brazil. In addition, Brazil is currently considered a virus variant area and thus an area with a particularly high risk of infection. That is why there is currently a ban on transport from Brazil to Germany, which also affects travel connections.
German citizens and persons with residence and right of residence in Germany are exempt from this. However, if you want to travel to Germany from Brazil, you must first complete a digital travel registration, carry proof of a negative corona test and go into quarantine after arriving in Germany.
The USA is also classified as a high incidence area and thus an area with a particularly high risk of infection. From Germany there is still an entry ban into the USA, from which US citizens, green card holders and their close relatives are exempt. Airport transit is also currently not possible. However, there are still direct travel connections from the USA to Germany. It is therefore possible to enter Germany from New York – but only after registering for entry, with a negative corona test and a subsequent quarantine.
READ TIP: New PCR test should detect corona mutations immediately
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