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On Saturday, the Brazilian variant of the coronavirus was detected for the first time in Sweden. It is among the mutants closely monitored by the National Institute of Public Health. So far it has not been tested here.
FHI Technical Director Frode Forland tells Dagbladet that at least 15 different known variants of the coronavirus are currently circulating in Norway.
– It is with viruses that change. Then we pay special attention to those that are most contagious, and especially the British variant that is more prevalent here, he says.
The weekly report for week 6 states that there are three variants of particular interest: the British variant B.1.1.7, the South African variant B.1.351, and the Brazilian mutant P1.
– We can kill the three mutants with a reinforced TISK strategy, says Forland.
TISK’s strategy consists of testing, isolation, infection detection, and quarantine.
– No overview of the mutated virus
Other varieties
Another new variant was unveiled on Thursday. The variant has been given the “name” B.1.525, and has several of the same changes as the English, South African, and Brazilian virus variant.
Other variants that FHI highlights in the weekly report are these:
B.1.1.64-viruset: First seen in Drammen, Porsgrunn and Skien in November, and has been behind many outbreaks in Norway during January and February.
B.1.177-viruset: One of the most widespread viruses in Norway. It seems to originate in Spain in early summer.
Suspect in the air
B.1.258: It caused earlier outbreaks with remarkably rapid spread in Trøndelag, Nordland, and Vestland this fall. This is one of the variants of the virus to which FHI pays special attention as it is suspected that this variant may be somewhat more contagious.
B.1.160: Known for the eruption of the tourist bus in September. There are subgroups of the virus, including B. 1.160_S477N, which has been detected in Oslo and Tønsberg.
B.1.1.28 virus: Tested in Trøndelag. It has an additional mutation in the spike gene, but it is believed to be negligible.
B.1.88: The NIPH first saw cases of the virus in December, and the virus has now sparked an outbreak at a food producer in Vestfold and Telemark.
B.1.36: Tested indoors, Troms and Finnmark.
B.1.1.184: A virus that is relatively new to Norway. Tested in Harstad.
B1.36.21: It is one of the viruses that dominate in Oslo and Agder.
B.1.1.175 and B.1.1.102: Tested on Viken. The latter has broken out in Bærum, among other places.
Mutant cases in various places
3500 analyze
FHI is closely monitoring new variants of the virus. A number of positive samples are submitted to FHI for in-depth analysis. Around 3,500 in-depth analyzes of this type have been carried out.
In several European countries, including Denmark, the British variant is becoming dominant in spreading the infection. In Norway, we have managed to quell mutant outbreaks so far.
– We do this by going out strongly locally in the event of an outbreak. It is effective and prevents the general spread of infections. If we lose control, we must tighten the measures for everyone. We want to avoid that.
NIPH: significantly inhibits infection
Forland estimates that between 10% and 15% of all reported infection cases are now due to the British variant of the virus. Last week, deputy health director Espen Nakstad estimated the figure to be 5 to 10 percent.
– We try to keep the number low by taking strict measures locally, even with these rings that we present. We hope we can keep it low until all risk groups have been vaccinated. Each week counts in relation to this and it is important to detect outbreaks early.
Eliminate vaccine confusion
See the effect of the vaccine
He also emphasizes that we are now seeing the effect of vaccines. There are almost no outbreaks in nursing homes, there is a decrease in infection among the elderly, and fewer deaths.
– The European Infection Control Agency reports the same findings in the rest of the Nordic region. That’s good news. We now know that the vaccine provides protection, Forland says.
