In two months, it caused about 28% of new cases recorded in London and southern England. The new variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes covid-19, is being studied. So far, the researchers believe it is more transmissible than the previous one, but they are unaware of the impact it has on the body and the immune system.
Or what is known about this variant?
The existence of this new variant was announced on Monday, after 1,100 cases of covid-19 caused by this virus mutation were detected. The increase in cases in the south and east of England has led to the high risk of contagion in these areas.
In Saturday’s statement, Boris Johson said that this new variant has a faster spread, and scientists think it could be at least 70% more transmissible than the previous variant.
“As a result of the rapid spread of this new variant, preliminary data models and the rapid growth of incidence rates in the Southeast, in the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threat Consultation Group now consider that this new current may spread more quickly. ”, Explained Chris Whitty, Head of Medical Office of England
Is it more aggressive for human beings?
So far it is not known whether this variant of the virus will be more or less aggressive in the development of covid-19 or if it will influence the mortality rate of the disease.
Mutations are a constant in viruses, stresses Chris Whitty, but it takes a combination of factors for genetic alteration to become a new variant. To Reuters, the expert confirms that the death rate of this mutation is being analyzed.
The researchers will also look at the impact of this virus on the immune system, to see if the new mutation in any way alters the production of antibodies. The reaction to the vaccine will also be one of the answers that scientists are looking for. In an interview with Lusa, Constantino Sakellarides, former director of the Directorate-General for Health and current member of the National Council for Public Health, believes that this variant should not decrease the vaccine’s effectiveness.
“As far as is known, it is not likely to affect the effectiveness of the vaccine, as long as it does not interfere with the antigen in the crown, the antigen that stimulates the immune reaction,” said the expert.
However, he left a caveat: “All of this is subject to reservation, because the information we have is scarce, but as long as there is no interference with that antigen, there is no reason to think that the vaccine will still not serve for this new variant”.
Remember that the United Kingdom started vaccination of priority groups on December 8, after having approved the drug produced by Pfizer / BioNTech.
When did the mutation appear?
The first mutation is believed to have appeared in mid-September in London or Kent. In two months it had already caused about 28% of cases in London and even more cases in south-east England, says Whitty.
British health authorities have already alerted the World Health Organization and are “analyzing the data available to improve knowledge” about this new variant.
South Africa also detects new variant
A team of South African researchers, led by Professor Tulio de Oliveira, detected a new variant of the coronavirus that affects younger patients, the Minister of Health announced this Friday.
“The ‘501.V2’ variant of the SARS-COV-2 virus has been identified by South African researchers and communicated to the World Health Organization (WHO),” Minister Zweli Mkhize said in a statement.
The researchers also alerted the UK to the identification of the new South African variant, which allowed “to study its own samples and find a similar variant”.
“It was the variant that was driving its resurgence in London, leading to an announcement made in Parliament and the blockade instituted in London to contain the spread of that variant,” he said.
New measures to contain the new variant
Boris Johnson announced an increase in the level of risk in London and the south east and east of England. Level four regions return to mandatory confinement, as they did during the month of November, and travel abroad is prohibited, except for professional reasons.
The non-essential trade and gyms will close during the Christmas period and an appeal was made for anyone who can work from home. It is also prohibited to leave the regions identified as the maximum level of restrictions.
As for Christmas, the highly criticized restrictions bubble will also change. Until now, up to three households – people who, being from the same family, were allowed to live together – were allowed for five days. However, the family meeting was limited to Christmas Day. In London and in the regions that are going to pass to level four, this meeting is prohibited.
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