News Crisps - New Coronavirus Strain Detected

As the world completes 2 years since the Coronavirus was first on 31st of December, 2019 in China, there seems to be yet another creation of a strain variant. The newest strain variant of Coronavirus is named as B.1.1.529, which has been red-flagged by scientists over an alarmingly large number of spike mutations which scientists believe could be resistant to vaccines as well as could transmit more easily and thus, cause more severe symptoms.

The B.1.1.529 has a total of 50 mutations, including more than 30 of them on the protein spike alone. The spike protein being the target of current vaccines, and it unlocks access to the body’s cells. Researchers are trying to figure out if this is more transmissible or lethal than the earlier variants. There are 10 mutations on the binding domain part of the variant, compared to the 2 of the Delta variant.

This strain was first identified in South Africa this week, the strain has spread to nearby countries such as Botswana where it has infected fully vaccinated people as well. South Africa recorded over 100 cases, whereas Botswana recorded 4. Two cases have been detected in Hong Kong where travelers who were jabbed with the Pfizer vaccine have been kept in isolation rooms. Israel has identified one case from a passenger returning from Malawi. India has called for rigorous screening for passengers from South Africa, Botswana and Hong Kong whereas the UK, Israel and Singapore have stopped flights to these countries. Germany and Italy have also banned most travel from South Africa.

Fin.