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Prime Minister Boris Johnson has already placed strict restrictions on the spread of the coronavirus in and around London.
“While the virus is changing the way it attacks, we need to change our defenses,” he said.
Another similar type of coronavirus has been found in South Africa, with mutations occurring in some cases similar to those in the UK.
The genetic analysis of viruses now being performed in South African laboratories is found in 90 percent of cases.
The New York Times writes that scientists are concerned about this transformation of the new coronavirus, but not surprised.
Genetic mutations are very common in viruses. In most cases, that change in genetic makeup doesn’t make much of a difference.
Researchers have also seen thousands of minor mutations in the new coronavirus that has spread around the world since late last year.
Instead of changing shape, the virus can sometimes become more dangerous than before, sometimes weakening the ability to infect and even becoming extinct.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has assured that there is still little cause for apprehension in the United Kingdom.
Why worry?
The BBC writes that there are three problems with the new type found in the UK, which worries researchers.
1. This new guy is quickly taking the place of other guys out there.
2. Scientists believe that mutations in the virus are important.
3. In the laboratory, this new strain of the virus has increased its ability to attack human cells.
Scientists say the combination of these factors has raised fears that the new strain of coronavirus could spread rapidly.
Cells infected with coronavirus. Photo: Reuters
How fast is it spreading
This mutated form of coronavirus was first identified in the UK last September. In November, the new strain of coronavirus was responsible for a quarter of all infections in London.
In mid-December, that ratio was two-thirds.
MK LHL test data shows an increasing prevalence of the H69 / V70 variant in positive test data, which is incidentally detected by the commonly used 3-gene PCR test. pic.twitter.com/1U0pVR9Bhs
– Tony Cox (@The_Soup_Dragon) December 19, 2020
The London Imperial College researcher said. “It’s hard to say for sure at this point, but from what we’ve seen so far, it’s spreading very fast, faster than previous variants,” says Eric Volz. It is important to keep an eye on it. ”
It is not possible to say for sure how contagious this changing pattern is in the UK. However, the British researcher has estimated that the rate may be around 80 percent.
How much it spreads
The BBC writes that this new strain of coronavirus has spread from a patient’s body in the UK or has come from outside the UK, where there are no good enough systems to monitor virus mutations.
The new strain of coronavirus has already reached almost the entire UK, except Northern Ireland. However, the highest prevalence occurred in London and the south-east and west of England.
An organization called NextStrain does the job of analyzing the genetic code with virus samples from around the world. They say the new UK variant is already believed to have reached Denmark, Australia and the Netherlands.
NextStrain feels there is no connection between the two, although the UK variant has a lot in common with the new type found in South Africa.
Has such a change happened before?
Yes, it happened.
The type of coronavirus that spread to Wuhan, China late last year is not one of the most widespread in the world today.
In February, a new mutant called D614G appeared in Europe and then spread to the rest of the world.
Another type of A222V emerged last summer in Spain, which later spread throughout Europe.
What has changed in the mutation?
According to the BBC, preliminary data on the new type of analysis found in the UK has already been released. It turns out that 16 of the changes in the genetic makeup of the coronavirus in this mutation could be significant.
There is also the problem of possible changes in the spike protein. Due to this spike protein, the new coronavirus has a better ability to infect human cells.
The most important part of the spike protein, called the “receptor-binding domain,” has also changed due to a mutation called N501Y.
Scientists say that part of the spike protein first comes into contact with the cell surface during infection. If the mutations there make it easier for the virus to enter human cells, it will be even scarier.
In another mutation, the H79 / V60 protein of this type of virus has been omitted, leaving a part of the peak missing.
Cambridge researcher Professor Ravi Gupta says laboratory tests have shown that mutations have doubled the virus’s ability to infect.
“The virus is growing rapidly. That is why the government is concerned, we are concerned, most scientists are concerned ”.
Where did this new variant come from?
The BBC reports, citing researchers, that the new strain of coronavirus, which is now spreading in the UK, has undergone “unusually high” mutations.
It may be that the virus has transformed into a patient whose immune system has become extremely fragile. The body’s immune system did not defeat the virus, instead, your body became the birthplace of the virus mutations.
Will the change make the virus more deadly?
Researchers do not yet have such evidence. However, more observation is needed in this regard.
However, if this new strain of coronavirus continues to spread rapidly, the pressure on hospitals will naturally increase.
Will the vaccine against the new variant be effective?
The three main vaccines under discussion strengthen the body’s immune system against that coronavirus spike. And that is why the question arises, because the mutations in the mutated virus have also changed the spike protein.
However, researchers are fairly confident that the coronavirus vaccines that have been shown to be effective will also work against this new variant. At least for now, they have no doubts about it.
Vaccines are made in such a way that they activate the body’s immune system against different parts of the virus. As a result, even if the mutations alter the spike proteins, the vaccines that are made should be effective.
However, if the virus is further modified, it could be cause for concern, said Cambridge professor Ravi Gupta.
In his words, the virus could be a way to avoid the vaccine; there’s a possibility. Meanwhile, the mutation of the virus indicates the same process.
When a virus is changed so much that the body can no longer develop immunity to the vaccine, scientists call it the “vaccine escape.” So people get infected even after getting vaccinated.
This is probably the most concerning of the coronavirus mutations right now.
The new variant is a testament to the fact that the coronavirus, which has spread throughout the world, is being modified to keep its infectivity intact.
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