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First case of coronavirus mutation detected in Germany
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Biontech is confident that the vaccine will also work against mutated variants
The start of vaccination has been determined: specially established centers in Germany will open from December 27. Manufacturer Biontech is confident that its vaccine will also work against the crown mutation that has emerged in Britain.
The coronavirus mutation discovered in Great Britain has been detected in a woman from Baden-Württemberg. On December 20, he entered Germany and tested positive.
reThe variant of the coronavirus that appeared in Britain has also been detected in Germany for the first time. The mutated variant B.1.1.7 was found on Thursday in a woman who entered Baden-Württemberg from Great Britain on December 20. This was announced by the Stuttgart Ministry of Health. The woman has mild symptoms and is in domestic isolation. Three close contacts are also in quarantine.
The woman had flown from London Heathrow to Frankfurt am Main to visit relatives in the Freudenstadt district. “As soon as they entered the airport, all passengers were screened for Sars-CoV-2, which was positive for the person in question,” a ministry spokesman said. She was later picked up by relatives in a car. “To confirm the diagnosis, a PCR test was performed on December 21, 2020, which was also positive.” Close contacts have not yet gotten sick. A smear test of contact persons was started.
The mutated variant B.1.1.7 of the coronavirus was first detected in Great Britain. The new variant of the coronavirus may be significantly more contagious than the previously known form. After the mutation became known, most EU states decided to heavily restrict travel to and from Britain to prevent its spread. So far, 33 cases of the new variant have been detected in Denmark. Now he has also performed in the Netherlands.
Berlin virologist Christian Drosten had already stated on Tuesday that it was quite likely that B.1.1.7 was now also in Germany. With the current restrictions on closure, “this variant is likely to take hold in this country,” Drosten said. “I don’t think we will have a bigger problem there anytime soon.” Until now, there has been no evidence that the new variant has any influence on the severity of the disease.
Robert Koch Institute (RKI) President Lothar Wieler assumes that coronavirus vaccines will also help with a mutated pathogen. The head of vaccine maker Biontech, Ugur Sahin, also said Tuesday that his preparation is highly likely to work against the new variant. Vaccinations in Germany should start on Sunday.
