New vaccine-resistant COVID strain discovered in Japan – Asia

A new coronavirus mutation called “Eek” – E484K – was found in 10 of the 14 people tested at Tokyo Medical Hospital and the University of Dentistry. The mutation is resistant to the protection of the vaccine, which worries scientists. The tests on all 10 patients were conducted in March, Reuters reports, Monitor reports.

The strain was found in people who had not recently traveled abroad or who had not reported contact with people who had recently returned from other countries.

Japan is currently facing a new pandemic wave and a sharp increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, just before the Olympics scheduled for July this year. Health experts are particularly concerned about the spread of mutant strains and vaccination among the population has not yet started.

In Tokyo, 446 cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection have been reported, which is worrying for the Japanese, although it is much lower than the 2,500 registered in January. 666 cases have been reported in Osaka.