At the present time, there are four new Covid-19 strains that are causing scientists to lose sleep at night.
The first is the strain found in the southeastern UK, which is now present in at least 50 countries and is capable of spreading much more effectively than the original strain. It is frightening world leaders, closing borders and enacting movement restrictions to keep things from getting worse.
Next are two strains discovered in South Africa and Brazil. They do not spread too quickly and widely, but the ability to mutate is making the scientific community be wary. And one more strain appeared in California, the danger level is unknown.
So far, science’s greatest fears – of a more virulent or vaccine-resistant strain – have yet to arise. However, that nightmare is still looming, and it is completely possible to happen in the future.
Here are four new strains of Covid-19 that are making the world wary. Try to find out specifically what that story is like.
Variants B.1.1.7
This is the strain that appeared in the UK, currently at the top of the list of concern to the world today. The US CDC last week warned, B.1.1.7 is completely capable of making the pandemic much worse.
Although the term “mutant virus” can actually cause fear, scientists are quite comfortable with what they find at the present time. Accordingly, the human immune system can handle the new variant of this virus.
Variant B.1.351
The second strain on the list appeared in South Africa, also known as 501Y.V2. This strain mutation has a different form of mutation, causing more physical changes in the protein spikes than is the strain B.1.1.7. One of the mutations, called E484K, appears to affect the portion of the spike protein used to attach to the cell.
This is where B.1.351 is so ominous, because it has the potential to somewhat escape from the vaccine, according to Armstrong. Researchers and vaccine manufacturers are now testing the new strain to see if it can resist the current vaccine.
Variants P.1 and P.2
These two strains first appeared in Brazil. Of which, P.1 accounted for 42% of cases in a recent survey in the city of Manaus. Japan also discovered four cases of this strain after returning from Brazil.
P.2 was also present here, causing at least 11 infections in the past week.
Variant of strain L425R
And the latest strain – L425R – appeared in California. “We do not know the severity of this strain,” – Armstrong said. It also has mutations in protein spikes. Although it is currently the most common strain of all recent infections, it is not clear if it is more infectious.
Health California says L425R is slowly spreading within the state. However, the laboratories – which can afford new strain identification – are overwhelmed.