Epidemiologist: 60% of patients in London have the new strain of COVID-19 – Diseases

For about a week there is a new variant of the virus, which has several characteristics. This option increases very quickly in frequency, ie. transmits faster. Most mutations are concentrated in so-called. spike protein. They lead to a real change in the memory of the virus, which is unusual. There is no indication that it is more deadly. This was stated by the epidemiologist in tropical medicine Dr. Petar Markov in the BNT program “From the day”.

According to him, the new strain of COVID-19 has been detected in more than 60% of patients in London. However, the road closures in the UK showed panic.

“COVID-19 is an RNA virus and they mutate a lot. However, we have more mutations than expected. So far, we have no indication that the virus is more dangerous in terms of the pathogen,” said Dr. Markov.

Pfizer and Moderna test vaccines for new strain of coronavirus

“Every vaccine, regardless of the technology, aims to serve part of the virus in the body to give an immune response. Our body will attack the virus from all sides, so the vaccine will help with the new strain,” said Dr. Peter Markov.

“There is no DNA in vaccines. RNA cannot integrate into the human genome. RNA is an instruction to the body against the specific pathogen. Each vaccine has been tested on more than 30 to 40,000 volunteers. These vaccines are a one of the best proven. In which no adverse reactions are shown. This is a guarantee that it is safe. This is a way to prevent the acute development of COVID-19, as well as to be able to build herd immunity “, he explained, adding to be vaccinated personally.

According to Dr. Markov, how the epidemic will develop depends on the anti-epidemic measures introduced.

“If we wear masks and keep our distance, the virus will disappear, if we don’t follow the measures, it will come back. Relatively strict measures have been introduced in Bulgaria and are working. It is not a good idea for people to get together during the holidays.”