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Virus mutations always occur. The new corona virus that caused the pandemic was born this way, but the variant that broke out in south-east England in September is now of particular concern and urgent in the London area around Christmas time.In addition to the introduction of the blockade, Canada, France, Germany, etc. Air and rail flights will operate to and from the UK.He stopped.
1. 1.Why this variant is on alert
This “B.1.1.1.7” variant has undergone about 10 mutations from the virus that occurred in Wuhan, China late last year, and the main part of the virus, such as infectivity, has changed. According to preliminary analysis from the UK , this variant is more infectious than other prevailing new coronaviruses.There is a strong risk of 70%, which may be the cause of the increase in infected people in the country. The World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed that it is investigating the infectivity, likelihood of exacerbation, and the efficacy of vaccines for this variant.
2 when it appeared
Two samples were found to have been taken in the neighboring province of Kent, in addition to London, in late September at the earliest, and the discovery continued until early December. One of the reasons this variant became popular is that it appeared at a time when interaction with people such as family members was increasing. Scientists have hypothesized that the variant may have spread from chronically infected individuals.
3. How fast did it spread?
As of December 15, 1,623 people were infected with this variant. Of these, 519 have been found in and around London, 555 in Kent, and 545 in other British regions, including Scotland and Wales, as well as Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Australia. Only around 10% of people in the UK collect samples from new corona-infected people and analyze the genetic information of the virus, so it is certain that the actual number of infected people will be even higher. Health officials in England warned yesterday that the number of infected people is increasing faster than expected in areas where the variant is endemic. Paul Hunter, a professor at Norridge Medical College, East Anglia University, was infected with the new crown in London. in the week before 9.62% indicated that this variant was higher than 28% in early November.
4. Is the vaccine still effective?
It is not known at this time whether this variant has evolved enough to escape the immune response elicited by infection or the vaccine, and research is ongoing. WHO Maria van Kerkhofe told the BBC that current information suggests that the efficacy of the currently implemented vaccine will not change with this variant. For viruses that mutate every year, such as seasonal influenza, the vaccine must be adjusted accordingly, but unlike influenza, coronavirus has a calibration function that fixes errors during replication. For this reason, it is believed that it does not mutate as quickly as influenza. Vaccines that have been shown to be effective can easily be modified if necessary, the medical journal BMJ reported on day 16.
Original title:
Why the UK’s Mutated Coronavirus Raises Concerns: QuickTake （抜 粋）
