Does it spread more easily? Makes people sicker? Does that mean that the treatments and vaccinations won’t work? Questions are increasing as fast as new variants of coronavirus. Those variants that move through England are now appearing in the U.S. and other countries.
Scientists say that there is a reason for worry and more to learn. But that new variants do not cause alarm. Worry has been rising since before Christmas. The British Prime Minister told about the new variant. He said the variant of coronavirus tended to spread more quickly than previous variants. He also said they spread rapidly through England. On Tuesday, health officials in Colorado said they found it there.
Here Are Details About Everything You Need to Know About the COVID-19 or the New Coronavirus Variant
What Is a COVID-19 Variant Exactly?
As the virus replicates to make more of itself, minor genetic changes—called mutations—may occur. In certain cases, these mutations do not affect the virus, either good or bad. These mutations can also help us to track how viruses spread across the world. In some cases, however, these mutations can be helpful to the virus. Each variant of COVID-19 happens on a particular mutation collection.
COVID-19 variants have acquired modifications to the coronavirus genome. These modifications persist as the virus spreads from person to person. Suppose the modifications result in a more infectious virus, such as the D614G mutation. Then we may see more of that particular variant in infected people.
If the variants develop as the virus replicates, the more we allow this new coronavirus to spread among us, the more likely we will give new variants of COVID-19 to arise.
How Many Coronavirus Variants Are There?
There are thousands of coronavirus variants circulated across the globe. The first major mutation of COVID-19 was detected early in the pandemic. It seemed to increase contagiousness. It is Named the D614G variant. So it has soon become the defining mutation of the predominant variants that have caused COVID-19 infections in the U.S. over the last eight months. Strains carrying D614G have since acquired new mutations. Scientists classified them into three main variant groups.
More Recent Variants Have Appeared, Including the Following:
- B.1.1.7 strain – first found in the United Kingdom. In September 2020, but recently found in Harris County.
- B.1.351 strain – first found in South Africa in October 2020.
The CDC also states that a new variant of COVID-19 is currently in circulation in Nigeria.
Each of these new variants is genetically different. But almost every variant so far has one or more mutations in the virus spike protein. The virus spike protein plays a role in how the virus invades human cells.
Why Do Viruses Mutate?
Viruses are vulnerable to mutations. Indeed, all genetic material, including that of humans, can mutate as issues arise during replication.
A mutation of the virus occurs as the genetic sequence of the virus changes. This leads to variation. And it drives the evolution of the virus.
Mutations lead to changes in proteins found in the viral genetic code. These changes can be either positive, negative, or neutral.
If the virus has enough mutations to make its biology different, we can consider it a new strain. This means that it may react differently to vaccination or treatments. Or it may infect or spread another species differently.
The novel coronavirus has a relatively stable genome compared to other forms of the virus. But, it often mutates, and scientists have closely monitored these changes.
One of the most commonly talked about mutations resulted in the D614G variant. This triggers a change in the spike protein that interacts with the human cell receptor ACE2. This makes it easy for the virus to enter the human cell.
The amino acid in the spike protein at position 614 is modified from aspartic to glycine. The D614G variant has been the predominant variant of SARS-CoV-2 in the world, analysis shows.
Experts are continuing to study the differences between the D and G variants. The world has changed its focus to B.1.1.7 and how it will shape the pandemic’s course.
Are the New Coronavirus Variants More Dangerous?
For now, there is no proof that any coronavirus variant that we have tested may cause more serious illness or raise the risk of death of an individual.
However, some scientists claim that some of these newer variants can spread more quickly. Especially the B.1.1.7 strain, which originated in the U.K., is one of them. This may be similar to the tale of the D614G.
Reports of COVID-19 have risen alongside the presence of these variants. It is still too early to say whether these strains are more infectious. These reports simply maybe a prevention measure to keep communities healthy. We need more evidence to confirm whether these strains really spread more quickly.
Can a Coronavirus Variant Affect the Efficiency of the Vaccine?
These mutations may not seem to impact the vaccine’s effectiveness. Theoretically, new mutations could have an impact on the efficacy of the vaccine. Still, this virus’s low mutation rate relative to other viruses makes this more complicated.
However, it is possible that once the vaccine starts to be deployed and is successful, we may observe changes in the virus to adapt and escape from the vaccine-promoted immune response. But again, the low mutation rate makes adaptation of the virus to the vaccine less likely.
Impact on Public Health Measures
The rapid spread of infection in the U.K. —to a large extent can be because of the B.1.1.7 variant. Then we saw the enforcement of stringent lockdowns in England and Scotland. Ireland has expanded the national lockdown, with stricter rules in place.
In the preprint version of the LSHTM report, the researchers warned, given the higher transmissibility of the new strain. They said, ‘Existing prevention measures [to contain the spread of the virus] are likely to be less effective, and countries may need stronger preventive interventions to achieve the same level of control.”
In a statement published on 31 December 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) stated that many countries are still taking the necessary measures to stay ahead of the game.
The Bottom Line
Scientists identified two new coronavirus variants in the United Kingdom and South Africa.
Both variants are more transmissible than previous variants due to the mutation in the spike protein. It is the component of the virus that binds to our cells. We need more studies to decide whether and how mutations change the behavior of the virus.
Experts continue to emphasize the importance of wearing a mask, practicing physical distance, and washing our hands. These steps are likely to protect against all variants.
