The new B.1.1.529 COVID variant is potentially more contagious and with multiple mutations, say scientists. The World Health Organization (WHO) says it is “watching closely” and will hold this Friday a meeting to determine how dangerous it is.
The new B.1.1.529 COVID variant has raised a lot of concern among scientists and experts from the World Health Organisation (WHO), following the extremely high number of mutations that this variant carries.
This variant may drive further waves of disease by evading the body’s defenses, and could eventually be called “Nu” by the WHO, as the most concerning variants are given names from the Greek alphabet.
Why is this new variant raising concern?
The B. 1.1.529 variant has 32 mutations in the spike protein.
Anti-COVID-19 vaccines might not be effective on this new variant, as it has many mutations, making it harder for vaccines to act on the immune system based on antibodies.
Are anti-COVID-19 vaccines effective against this new variant?
At this point, South African scientists are unsure of the effectiveness of the different anti-COVID-19 vaccine products against this new variant.
“What concerns us the most is that this variant may not only have an increased transmission capacity but also be able to bypass parts of our immune system,” warns Infectious Diseases Specialist, Doctor Richard Lessells.
WHO technical officer on COVID-19, Maria Van Kerkhove, said during an online press briefing that it “will take a few weeks to understand the impact of this variant on any potential vaccine.”
How many people have been affected by this new variant?
According to the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD), 22 cases have been reported so far in South Africa.
The variant was first identified in Botswana, where three cases have been detected, adding six more have been confirmed in South Africa, and one in Hong Kong in a traveler returning from South Africa.
How fast does the variant spread?
South Africa has seen a high increase in cases in recent weeks, as the average number of new cases reported each day rises by more than 3,200 over the last 3 weeks, representing 16% of its previous peak, according to the latest update of Reuters’ COVID-19 tracker on November 26.
Travel is still authorized?
The UK announced on Thursday evening that it will begin the ban starting the same day, access into its territory to travelers from six African countries, including South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, and Botswana.
Israel will do the same, adding Mozambique to the list, will also ban its citizens from traveling to southern Africa.
Germany will also refuse entry to its territory to foreign travelers from South Africa this evening.
Singapore will also ban entry for travelers coming from southern Africa starting Sunday, except for citizens or permanent residents.
The European Commission “will also propose, in close coordination with the Member States, to activate the emergency brake to stop air travel from the southern African region due to the variant of concern B.1.1.529,” wrote Ursula von der Leyen on Twitter.
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