Scientists are puzzled by the rapid evolution of the new strain of the new coronavirus. First detected in the UK a fortnight ago, it has mutated 23 times in a few months. This is rare. One year after the pandemic, the new strain has brought us back to where we started.
What is this new strain of the new coronavirus?
Very little is known about the new variant (B.1.1.7) of the novel coronavirus, as genomic studies are ongoing. Scientists are working to find out if the mutations benefit or weaken the virus, and if it eludes diagnostic tests or responds to medical treatment.
How contagious is the new strain?
It has caused a sudden increase in Covid-19 cases by 300 percent. Simply put, it is three times more infectious than its cousin behind the pandemic.
Can the new variant be detected by the RT-PCR test?
Many labs need to update their equipment. The WHO has called for the use of different assays in parallel or multiple assays targeting different genes of the virus.
How dangerous is it?
The potential danger is not yet clear. Against a pair of mutations, this variant had undergone 23 mutations.
In a few months
What could have led to the new strain?
Scientists believe that normally a new strain would not evolve in such a short time from the wild strain. It could have skipped the evolutionary process. Or the man could be responsible. It could have evolved from a seriously ill Covid-19 patient, who underwent convalescent plasma therapy along with Remdesivir.
Where did it start?
The geographical origin of the new strain is unknown, although it was discovered in the UK.
Where is the virus circulating now?
The new strain has been detected in the Netherlands, Denmark, Iceland, Italy, and Australia.
Are you present in India?
Officially not found yet. But the virus may have entered India as it has been in circulation in the UK since September.
Is it the only new variant of the Covid-19 virus?
No. A highly mutated and rapidly spreading variant was found in South Africa. This is not related to the UK strain.
Can vaccines work, now in development?
Unclear. But many scientists hope that the vaccines being developed now will work against the new strain.
Do we need more vaccines?
As the virus mutates, we need to develop vaccines to combat the new variants.
What is the WHO risk assessment?
The WHO says that most mutations or changes do not have a direct benefit for the virus and can even be harmful to
that. More laboratory research is required to better understand the impact of a specific mutation on viral properties.
What is this new strain of the new coronavirus?
Very little is known about the new variant (B.1.1.7) of the novel coronavirus, as genomic studies are ongoing. Scientists are working to find out if the mutations benefit or weaken the virus, and if it eludes diagnostic tests or responds to medical treatment.
How contagious is the new strain?
It has caused a sudden increase in Covid-19 cases by 300 percent. Simply put, it is three times more infectious than its cousin behind the pandemic.
Can the new variant be detected by the RT-PCR test?
Many labs need to update their equipment. The WHO has called for the use of different assays in parallel or multiple assays targeting different genes of the virus.
How dangerous is it?
The potential danger is not yet clear. Against a pair of mutations, this variant had undergone 23 mutations.
In a few months
What could have led to the new strain?
Scientists believe that normally a new strain would not evolve in such a short time from the wild strain. It could have skipped the evolutionary process. Or the man could be responsible. It could have evolved from a seriously ill Covid-19 patient, who underwent convalescent plasma therapy along with Remdesivir.
Where did it start?
The geographical origin of the new strain is unknown, although it was discovered in the UK.
Where is the virus circulating now?
The new strain has been detected in the Netherlands, Denmark, Iceland, Italy, and Australia.
Are you present in India?
Officially not found yet. But the virus may have entered India as it has been in circulation in the UK since September.
Is it the only new variant of the Covid-19 virus?
No. A highly mutated and rapidly spreading variant was found in South Africa. This is not related to the UK strain.
Can vaccines work, now in development?
Unclear. But many scientists hope that the vaccines being developed now will work against the new strain.
Do we need more vaccines?
As the virus mutates, we need to develop vaccines to combat the new variants.
What is the WHO risk assessment?
The WHO says that most mutations or changes do not have a direct benefit for the virus and can even be harmful to
that. More laboratory research is required to better understand the impact of a specific mutation on viral properties.
.
