[ad_1]
UK government scientific advisers say the variant of Covid-19 first detected in the country is likely to be more lethal than previous variants, underscoring concerns about how mutations may change the characteristics of the disease. .
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern confirmed on Monday that the three new community cases in Auckland were the British variant of the virus. She said Newstalk ZB That sequencing found that the cases did not match any known cases at MIQ, meaning it likely did not come directly from there.
Scientists had already determined that the variant of the new coronavirus first detected in November in Kent, known as B.1.1.7 because of its molecular makeup, was likely 30 to 70 percent more transmissible than the typical version of the coronavirus. virus that causes Covid-19.
They also knew, based on preliminary data, that the variant appeared relatively more deadly to the growing number of people who infected it, as British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced in January.
READ MORE:
* Covid-19: Three New Locations Linked to New Auckland Community Cases
* Covid-19: Fear of highly transmissible variant sparks breaks Auckland’s 72-hour lockdown
* How we detect historical cases of Covid-19 and why it is important
UK scientists now say it is likely 30 to 70 percent more deadly according to a government follow-up study published Friday that evaluated a larger sample size of Covid-19 patients and also found a higher rate. discharge from hospital.
The variant is “associated with an increased risk of hospitalizations and death compared to infection” with other forms of the virus, according to the study, which was based on multiple databases in England.
Alastair / AP Scholarship
The variant of the new coronavirus first detected in November in the UK, known as B.1.1.7, has already been found to be more transmissible than the typical version of the virus that causes Covid-19.
There are still many unknowns: The data available to study have notable gaps between critical demographics, such as nursing homes, and provide an incomplete count of infections, a problem that persists throughout the pandemic.
But it does underscore how, even with efforts to accelerate the fight against the virus, it takes time to collect and access scientific data, despite the urgent need for information.
In the months since the variant was first reported, and the weeks since British Prime Minister Boris Johnson initially said it appeared to be more lethal, the highly communicable form of the virus has spread to more than 80 countries and spread. It has become the dominant strain in some parts. from England.
It has caused overwhelmed hospitals, disrupted travel and business, and forced a return to blockades in European cities, even as coronavirus vaccination programs are in place to inoculate millions of people.
Scientists who sequenced the virus have also detected several other highly transmissible variants, such as one that was first documented in South Africa.
The rapid spread of variants led Britain in January to institute a comparatively longer and stricter blockade than the country’s previous ones.
What The Washington Post reported, other countries in Europe that first reported sudden increases in cases this winter have recently seen declines in their transmission rates after prolonged shutdowns were implemented to prevent further spread of variant B.1.1.7.
THINGS
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that Auckland will move to Level 3 at midnight and the rest of the country to Level 2.
Along with the lockdowns, some countries in Europe also increased their face mask requirements and recommendations in response to initial reports about the threat of variants.
On Wednesday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new guidelines urging people to wear two cloth masks or medical-grade masks, when available, to limit the possibility of spreading or contracting the various forms of the virus in circulation.
So far, the makers of Modern biotech coronavirus vaccines and Pfizer have said their products remain effective against the latest forms of the virus. Studies of these variants and the various vaccines in development or emergency use are underway.
