Just when we start to feel a little more hopeful about the pandemic, thanks to the approval and launch of two vaccines (and more and more), there is a new bogeyman in the world. Well, two to be exact. We are talking about the two new variants of the novel coronavirus that emerged from the UK in September (variant B.1.1.7) and South Africa in October (variant B.1.351).
A variant means that the virus has mutated or changed. This can affect its spread or its severity. Some mutations disappear, while others continue to infect the population.
According to experts, there are multiple new variants of covid circulating around the world. However, these two are of particular concern due to reports that they may be more contagious. They contain a specific mutation called N501Y that can allow the virus to replicate more quickly in cells of the respiratory tract.
Preliminary UK data still under peer review (a necessary process to validate the methods used in the research) estimated that the UK variant is 56 percent more contagious compared to previous variants of the coronavirus. That differs from the original UK estimate which said it was 70 percent more contagious, but we don’t really know yet.
The estimates are based on mathematical models, which have limitations, and the reality is that these variants have not been around long enough, so more data is needed to know if they are more contagious.
The thing about variants is that they really are to be expected. All viruses change. As they replicate in the body, the virus produces more “virus babies,” which can cause replication errors in your genetic material. Normally this goes nowhere, but sometimes these changes make the virus more easily spread from person to person.
In coronavirus, there may be a small change in one of the spike proteins (the little hooks around its surface), allowing it to better latch onto the person’s proteins or receptors to infect them.
Although experts note that these variants do not appear to be more deadly or cause more serious diseases, they could cause more deaths if they can infect more people. The problem is in the number of people who are infected.
Does the COVID-19 vaccine work against the new variants?
In summary, experts note that there is no evidence that the variants affect how the vaccine works. In fact, new data suggests that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will be effective against the N501Y mutation in both the UK and South African variants. This study must undergo peer review as well, but it is reassuring preliminary news.
However, it is something you need more time to really know. And the scientists are on it.
The UK and South African variants are now being tested with serum from vaccinated patients to determine if there is any loss in virus inhibition compared to previous SARS-CoV-2 isolates. But, the sequence of the variants does not suggest that they would escape inhibition by the vaccines.
I mean, it looks like vaccines will still protect you. Vaccines function by stimulating t or immune system to produce antibodies against different sections of the protein peak.
How do variants affect COVID tests?
Mutations could affect the results of some COVID-19 tests. Tests that look for the genetic material of the virus that has been altered by the mutation could produce a false negative result (that’s when you are infected, but the test says no).
The risk of a false negative is low but could occur with the Accula SARS-Cov-2 test, the TaqPath COVID-19 Combo Kit, and the COVID-19 Online Assay Kit.
If your doctor uses one of these tests, but you still suspect that you have COVID-19 based on your symptoms and data in your area, you may decide to take a different test just to be safe.
A variant that is potentially more contagious means it’s even more important to keep up with all those smart public health practices, like wearing a mask, washing your hands, limiting indoor social gatherings, maintaining social distance, and getting vaccinated when it’s your turn.
With the number of cases that we are seeing now, I believe that every opportunity to close a door is a good opportunity. Try to hold on as long as you can inside, as there is a good chance the virus will pass from one person to another. The more people do that at the same time, the greater the likelihood that we will slow it down.