High infectivity and vaccine resistance—should we be afraid of new coronavirus strains

Author

Yulia Ustymovych

A new coronavirus strain was recently discovered in the UK. However, this is not the only example of virus mutations existing in the world.

In fact, COVID-19 mutations have been recorded around the world since last summer. And in October 2020, a Spanish strain was discovered that spread throughout Europe. has compiled data on various strains of coronavirus around the world.

American coronavirus strain

Scientists from Ohio State University have discovered two more new coronavirus strains. They assume that the mutations have formed in the United States.

This strain is more infectious than previously known variants of SARS-CoV-2, but scientists believe that new mutations will not affect the vaccines’ effectiveness.

The first of the two mutations was found in only one Ohio patient, so it's hard to say anything about the prevalence of this strain.

The second mutation began to dominate the state capital, Columbus. Its prevalence took place at the end of December 2020—beginning of January 2021.

South African coronavirus strain

Also, a new virus strain was discovered in the Republic of South Africa (RSA). It has already been recorded in Germany.

At the same time, scientists said that this strain may be more resistant to already developed coronavirus vaccines. Moreover, this strain has mutated more than the English one.

Mass research of the strain continues in the country.

Danish coronavirus strain

The coronavirus mutation has also been reported in Denmark. The infected persons were 10% of patients tested in the country.

However, scientists noted that the hospitalization rate for infection with this strain is lower than for SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Brazilian strain

Brazilian scientists have also recorded the spread of the mutated coronavirus in the state of Rio de Janeiro. However, so far there is no data on the infection rate and the impact on the vaccines’ against coronavirus effectiveness.

As a result of research, biologists have found that it differs from the "parent" virus by mutations in 38 out of 180 genomes. As in the case of the new British strain, 94% of the coronavirus samples identified in Rio de Janeiro carry the E484K mutation in the S-protein.

British strain

According to Chinese scientists, the infectiousness of the strain from the UK is on average 50% higher than that of the "parent" virus.

At the same time, British medical workers have identified the main symptoms of the strain presence in children.

Among them:

exhaustion;
an increase in the number of tantrums in infants;
headache;
abdominal pain;
temperature above 37 degrees;
loss of appetite.

Malaysian strain

Malaysian scientists have also discovered a new coronavirus strain. The mutation was found during a study of samples from the state of Sabah.

Now experts are studying this species' impact, its effectiveness and aggressiveness.

At the same time, scientists noted that coronavirus mutations are likely to cause SARS-COV-2 to become less virulent and join other coronaviruses that cause cold symptoms in the cold season.