Britain’s Crown variant particularly endangers a group of people

Britain’s new coronavirus variant B.1.1.7 carries 17 mutations and is spreading rapidly. It is particularly dangerous for a group of people.

London / Frankfurt – In Britain the number of new infections each day has increased dramatically for weeks; As of January 6, there were nearly 61,000. Despite severe restrictions, despite rapid vaccinations, this is spreading Coronavirus faster than people can keep up with his countermeasures. The reason for this could be the new virus variant B.1.1.7. which appeared on the island in September, was first reported in December and has since become the dominant strain in Britain. Already found at the end of December. B.1.1.7. in England in more than 50 per cent of the samples examined, making it the predominant there Crown-Variant. It is particularly widespread in the southeast of England and London.

The new variant of the coronavirus is spreading rapidly

the Mutant, from “Variant under investigation” (VUI) – variant under observation – to “Variant cause for concern” – cause for concern variant – VoC was updated 202012/01, but now it also arrived outside the UK. It has been tested in several European countries, including Germany, at U.S and in India. How many people in Germany actually have B.1.1.7. are infected, however, it cannot be quantified, since in this country much less frequently than in Britain the gene sequence of Coronavirus is determined. Several experts have criticized the lack of the necessary structures.

Now there are indications that the English Virus variant been in Germany circulate. According to an article on the medical information portal DocCheck, the Lower Saxony health department reports that the new samples that were taken at the end of November and subsequently sequenced are being used. Crown-Mutant has found.

B.1.1.7. not the first variant of the Sars-CoV-2 coronavirus

B.1.1.7. not the first variant of SARS-CoV-2. Viruses have a habit of changing genetically frequently, especially those that are endowed with unstable RNA as a carrier of genetic material. Influenza viruses are one of them, but also Coronaviren. the new variant differs in 23 mutations From the first known version of the Wuhan pathogen, 17 of these mutations have emerged. They essentially affect the spike protein on the surface that the Coronavirus binds to human cells.

The new changes are believed to make it easier for the pathogen to dock and enter host cells. British researchers suspect that this virus line developed in a patient with a very weak immune system and then spread to other people.

The new Corona variant is 50 to 70 percent more contagious, especially for people under the age of 20.

Experts from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine estimate that Mutations it could increase the transmissibility of the virus by 50 to 70 percent. That would mean: under the same external conditions, more people are infected with the new variant than with previous versions of the Coronavirus. British health authorities also give a figure: in the case of the mutant, an average of 15 per cent of people who had contact with an infected person would be infected, compared to 10 per cent with “Standard virus”. Initial studies also indicate that the English version is particularly contagious for young people under the age of 20.

At the moment it doesn’t look like this Crown-Variant It causes more serious diseases and more deadly courses. However: a Virusmore easily spread almost inevitably leads to more deaths because more people are likely to be infected. At least while the vaccines have yet to be established. French infectious disease specialist Bruno Coignard told AFP news agency: “Greater transferability increases even with equal mortality pressure on health systems “.

The Corona variant is highly infectious.

Adam Kucharski of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine goes even further. For the British epidemiologist, it is 50 percent higher Infectivity “A much bigger problem” than if the virus were 50 percent more deadly. On Twitter, he estimates that the death toll could be much higher.

For Christian Drosten, however, there is still no certainty that the English version is more contagious. In his podcast on NDR, the virologist from the Berlin Charité said that he was not taking on a major problem, even if the variant should be taken seriously. He has “clear experimental evidence” for Easter or May if this Virus “It is or is not transmissible and dangerous.”

Another variant of crown discovered in South Africa

The British Crown-Variant It is not the only one that has appeared on the scene and has established itself: in South Africa, another was launched in October Mutant found – 501.V2, it has also crossed national borders and has appeared in Great Britain and France, among others. It is also considered more contagious than global. Coronavirus. Drosten advises travelers returning from South Africa to get tested.

Currently it is not possible to say with certainty whether the vaccines developed protect against both variants of the virus. The trend in science is more towards “yes”. This assessment is based on the fact that the vaccine They are intended to trigger the formation of antibodies against multiple regions of the peak protein. Even if some of them are genetically modified, there are still enough unchanged attack points.

as well Christian drosten says don’t worry about vaccination right now. However, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) says it is too early to tell. Ugur Sahin, director of the Mainz-based company Biontech, which launched the first corona vaccine, has already announced that it will be possible to develop a new vaccine within six weeks that has also mutated before. Crown version Sagittarius. (Pamela Dörhöfer)

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