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The Sars-Cov-2 variant identified in south-east England is called VUI-202012/01. It means “Variant in research, year 2020, month 12, variant 01”. British authorities have informed the World Health Organization that this Covid variant has 23 code differences compared to the standard sequence and can circulate 70% faster. Chris Whitty, head of the British health authority, however, explained that it is not yet clear whether the variant is more lethal. “The virus seems to be circulating faster. There is no evidence of an increase in fatality, but it appears to be spreading faster. That’s all we know, but we must act now, “said British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Covid, new variant and vaccine
However, the point is vaccine. Because, of course, the concern is understandable. Will vaccines already developed (such as Moderna and Pfizer) or in the approval process work anyway? The (reassuring) answer is yes, at least for now and until proven otherwise, according to doctors. “This variant is unlikely to respond to vaccines,” said British Health Minister Matt Hancock. “Nothing at the moment indicates that the vaccine will be less effective,” added Boris Johnson. “At the moment there is no evidence that this variant of the Covid virus affects the effectiveness of vaccines. However, we need more research to understand it, ”continued Giuseppe Ippolito, scientific director of the Spallanzani Hospital for Infectious Diseases. And Richard Moxon, founder of the Oxford Vaccine Group, explained that a mutation can “suddenly change the behavior of virus, Making it more serious or disabling the administration. But he also noted that fears related to the impact of the variant in the vaccine are “unfounded.”
The heads of the health authorities in Britain indicate that according to some studies the new variant of COVID-19 he was probably present in London or Kent as early as mid-September. In mid-November, around 28% of cases in London were due to the new variant, and on December 9 the percentage was much higher. Currently in London 60% of cases derive from the new variant.
I also answer everyone who asks “does this mean the vaccine will not work?” There is currently no evidence that this variant is immune to the vaccine. Its effectiveness may change. It is necessary to monitor cases of reinfection.
– Giorgio Gilestro (@giorgiogilestro) December 19, 2020
Thus, the new variant of the virus found in the UK “It could also be present abroad,” stressed British government scientific adviser Patrick Vallance. “Viruses are constantly mutating, there are many mutations in the world. This is a particular constellation of changes that we think is important. We believe that it could be present in other countries, but here there is a concentration. It could have originated here, we don’t know for sure.
WHO: “Close contact with GB about virus mutation”
The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that it is in “close contact” with the authorities of the United Kingdom after the discovery of a new mutated variant of the Covid virus that would have a much higher transmissibility, quantified by 70% more . yesterday by Prime Minister Boris Johnson at a press conference. In a tweet, the UN agency writes that it is sharing scientific information with London and is committed to providing all updates to other member states and the public opinion, “as we learn the characteristics of this variant (of the virus) and its implications “.
Covid, Italy, third in number of deaths according to population after Belgium and Peru
Holland, stopover for flights with the United Kingdom
The Dutch government has suspended all passenger flights from the UK until January 1, following the discovery in the Netherlands of a case of contamination with a new British variant of the coronavirus. The Dutch Ministry of Health “recommends that any introduction of this variant of the virus be limited as much as possible by limiting and controlling the movement of passengers arriving from the UK.”
Restrictions and speed of the virus.
The new restrictive measures announced yesterday for London and England by Boris Johnson will remain “for a couple of months” because now they are more necessary to “control the spread of the new variant” of the coronavirus. Health Minister Matt Hancock said today in an interview with Sky, reiterating that “we know that this new variant can be contagious more easily even from a small number of viruses. ‘ Reiterating the need to strictly respect the measures adopted, the British minister explained that “we need it more to control the spread of the new variant than when we need it to control the old one. This is a fundamental problem. “We know this because in November in those areas where this variant began, in Kent, the cases continued to increase while in the rest of the base the November closure worked very effectively,” he said again. “This is one Big challenge until we have distributed the vaccine to protect people, this is what we will have to face in the coming months, “concluded Hancock admitting that it will be” very difficult “to maintain the new variant -” that can be 70% more transmissible than the previous»- under control until the vaccine is effective.
Last Updated: December 20 at 11:52 AM M.
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