A new variant of the coronavirus. It is the most mutated and can escape vaccines

A new variant of the coronavirus was detected in South Africa in June, and ECDC included it on the list of monitored mutations. C.1.2 cases of infection have already been detected in England, Switzerland and Portugal. Like the Delta variant, the C.1.2 is also supposed to be highly transmissive. It is suspected that it will also be resistant to currently available vaccines.

1. Although the Delta variant is currently dominant, other mutations are also circulating around the world
2. It is natural for viruses to generate new variants. In the case of coronavirus, this is a serious problem, because subsequent mutations may even completely escape vaccines
3. Variant C.1.2 is one of the mutations that are currently being closely monitored. Especially that among all the variants so far, it is he who is the most mutated
4. More information can be found on the Onet homepage.

What do we know about variant C.1.2? It is highly transmissive and mutates rapidly

Option C.1.2 worries scientists. Its trace was first found in June 2021, when the infection was detected in South Africa. Later, further cases were also reported in China or New Zealand. As for Europe, contamination with this variant has already been confirmed in Switzerland, Portugal and also in England.

The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has included variant C.1.2 on the list of mutations that are constantly monitored. As with the Delta variant, also the C.1.2 is highly transmissive and also has an impact on immunity. Research is currently underway to determine whether the variant may elude the currently available COVID-19 vaccines.

1. See also: COVID-19 symptoms – what are the most common now?

Scientists already know that this is the version of the coronavirus that mutates the fastest of all that have been detected so far. Moreover, it is so expansive that it has become dominant in three provinces, resulting in an increase in the number of infections.

While the full effect of the mutation is not yet clear, genomic and epidemic data suggest that this variant has a selective advantage over increased transmissivity, immune flight, or both, the researchers admit.

Variant C.1.2 has an average of 41,8 mutations per year. What’s more, as scientists have established, more than 52 percent. mutations identified in this variant have previously also been discovered in other variants that have been classified by ECDC as being of interest or of concern.

History of the dominant variants. Which are you to be concerned about today?

The nature of viruses is such that they mutate all the time. This is a natural phenomenon, but it is especially dangerous when dealing with a virus such as SARS-CoV-2. Each subsequent mutation can make the virus more dangerous – it will escape available vaccines, become more infectious or lethal. Dr. Antony Fauci warned at the beginning of August that a mutation could arise that would be resistant to the currently used preparations. In turn, Dr. Paweł Grzesiowski stated that the coronavirus may become a childhood disease. Until a few months ago, it was believed that children were not infected with the virus or that they had the disease asymptomatically. Due to the mutation, however, the situation changed.

Initially, the world was infected with the Wuhan variant. Later, the Alpha variant, first detected in Great Britain, became dominant. Today, most countries in the world are facing the Delta variant, formerly known as the Indian variant. There are other options on the ECDC list that are of concern to researchers. It is P.1 from Brazil (Gamma), B.1.351 from South Africa (Beta) and a variant detected in Great Britain that combines two mutations – B.1.1.7 and E484K.

ECDC also distinguishes an extensive list of options under observation and those of interest to scientists. This includes variant of Lambda, Kappa or just C.1.2.

How to protect yourself from COVID-19? Still the best methods – apart from vaccination – are sanitary rules. Avoid crowds, disinfect your hands, and wear masks. You can buy a set of FFP2 filtering masks at an attractive price at medonetmarket.pl.

Also read:

1. Israel: 12rd dose vaccination for all over XNUMX years old
2. Experts: don’t be afraid of the third dose, it won’t hurt anyone
3. COVID-19 in Wuhan: They fell ill a year ago and still have symptoms of the virus today. «Out of breath and depression»
4. Epidemiologist: the higher the vaccination rate, the more normal our lives are

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