Six answers about the Covid mutation that has set off the alarms
A new variant of the coronavirus that causes Covid-19, called B.1.1.529, has been identified in South Africa and authorities in that country have warned that it is of concern. They fear that the new strain will fuel outbreaks in many countries, putting the health of citizens, the protection of vaccines and efforts to reopen economies and borders on the ropes. The earthquake in the markets is epic. This is what is known so far:
1. What is different about this variant?
Scientists say it has a high number of mutations in its spike protein, which plays a key role in getting the virus into the body's cells. It is also the target of vaccines. Researchers are still trying to determine if it is more transmissible or more deadly than previous versions.
2. Where does it come from?
At the moment there are only speculations. A scientist at the Institute of Genetics in London said it likely evolved during a chronic infection in an immunocompromised person, possibly in an untreated HIV/AIDS patient. South Africa has 8.2 million people infected with HIV, the highest number in the world. The Beta variant, a mutation identified last year in South Africa, can also come from a person infected with HIV.
3. What extension does it have?
As of Thursday, there were nearly 100 cases detected in South Africa, where it has become the dominant strain among new infections. Early results from PCR tests showed that 90% of the 1,100 new cases reported Wednesday in the South African province of Johannesburg were caused by the new variant, according to Tulio de Oliveira, a professor of bioinformatics who heads genetic sequencing institutions at two universities. South Africans. In neighboring Botswana, authorities on Monday recorded four cases in people who were fully vaccinated. In Hong Kong, a traveler from South Africa was infected and another case was identified in a person quarantined in a hotel.
This new variant (named B.1.1.529 for now) seems to be spreading very quickly. In less than two weeks it already dominates all infections after a devastating wave of the Delta variant in South Africa. It accounts for 75% of new infections and will soon be 100%, according to experts.
4 What has been the reaction?
News of the new variant has markets on Friday, and tourism stocks in Asia, on edge as investors anticipate the negative impact it will have on travel. Yen, normally considered a haven asset, rises 0 .6% against the dollar, while the South African rand fell to its lowest level in a year.
Britain has temporarily banned flights from seven African countries, and other countries have followed suit, with Singapore restricting entry to people who have been to South Africa and nearby countries in the past 14 days. The EU has also anticipated that it will take similar measures.
Australia said it does not rule out tightening border rules for travelers from Africa if the situation worsens, while India has banned entry for travelers from South Africa, Botswana and Hong Kong.
5 To what extent is it worrying?
It's too soon to say that. The World Health Organization (WHO) points out that there are less than 100 complete genomic sequences of the new variant, which could increase the time needed to study it, as well as the effectiveness of current vaccines against it. Viruses constantly mutate, and the changes sometimes make the virus weaker or weaker or more adept at evading antibodies and infecting people.
6. What should we take into account next?
The WHO called a meeting on Friday to discuss B.1.1.529 and decide whether to officially designate it as a variant of interest or concern. If you do, you will receive a Greek letter name under the WHO naming scheme.
