As health authorities began to follow positive COVID-19 cases more closely – ie to genetically examine the test results – they also found more and more mutations.
Most of the mutations are insignificant. But there are some variants that researchers and officials are concerned about, in part because they are more contagious and because existing vaccines may be less effective at protecting against them.
No more freedom of movement. Some countries try to stop the spread of mutations by closing borders.
In addition to the variants identified in Britain, South Africa and Brazil, there are two other variants that are of concern in the United States, which have apparently developed there.
Fast distribution
In November, researchers first noticed a mutation in New York City called B.1.526. Since then, this variant has spread rapidly in the metropolis and in the state. By mid-February, it was detected in 12% of all samples in New York generated.
This variant has also appeared in other countries such as Denmark.
The California variant, CAL.20, is thought to be more contagious than the original virus, but not as dangerous as the British variant.
The so-called California variant, which was first detected in July 2020, also spread rapidly. Meanwhile, the two similar species, B.1.427 and B.1.429, of the California variant can be found in about a quarter of the gene-generated samples in California.
What do we know about the two American variants?
So far we do not have thorough reliable data on these variants. The California variant, CAL.20C, is said to be more contagious than the original SARS-CoV-2 virus. In swabs taken from infected individuals, it was found that the virus load in the samples was approximately doubled. But it is less contagious than the British mutant B.1.1.7, which has now been detected in a large number of countries, including Germany. The existing vaccines are thought to be somewhat less effective against the California virus variant, but still sufficient to protect patients from a severe course of COVID-19.
The New York virus variant, B.1.526, is similar to the South African variant, B.1.351, which has already been detected in more than 40 countries, and also shows similarity to the Brazilian variants, P.1 and P.2, which has been detected in more than 20 countries, most recently in the United Kingdom.
It is still unclear whether the New York variant is more contagious or dangerous, and whether existing vaccines are still effective against this variant.
New software helps with the search
Finding the various variants is only possible if you know what to look for. Although we now know the SARS-CoV-2 genome, the virus is 29,903 nucleotides long, which is far too long to quickly identify which variants could make it more contagious among the 611,000 genomes now stored in the GISAID database. word.
The mutations were found using new software called Variant Database (VDB) developed at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, by a team led by Pamela Bjorkman. It focuses on changes in the vein protein.
A mutation called E484K has been found in both the South African and the Brazilian variant.
The potentially dangerous mutation E484K, present in B.1.351 and P.1, alters the receptor binding domain of the vein protein, and this is where the antibodies attack with the strongest neutralizing effect.
Worrying, but not for panic
The tip of the vein protein is also changed into the New York variant. Understandably, this has caused some concern, Columbia University epidemiologist Wafaa El-Sadr told German public broadcaster ARD. “These changes could lead to the peak protein attaching itself better. Or that the virus could reproduce faster. Or that it could not be fought by the antibodies through our vaccines,” he said.
Until detailed and robust data on the American variant is available, these observations remain speculative and you do not have to panic, said Dave Chokshi, commissioner of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in New York. There is still no evidence that it spreads faster, whether it makes people sicker or whether it reduces the effectiveness of the vaccine, he said.
This article has been translated from German.
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Restrictions on non-essential travel in Europe – country by country
Finland
The Finnish government has extended stricter regulations until at least March 18 for those entering the country. All travelers will need to take a coronavirus test at the border. Finland restricts access to all Schengen countries – where people are allowed to travel without border controls – and only allows essential travel for work for services such as health care and emergency services.
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Restrictions on non-essential travel in Europe – country by country
Sweden
Travelers from most EU countries, and people traveling from non-EU countries that are exempt from the EU access ban, must show a negative COVID-19 test that is not older than 48 hours upon arrival, or be turned away. The new rules went into effect on February 6th. There is a ban on access to Sweden from the United Kingdom, Denmark and Norway, apart from Swedish citizens and people living or working in Sweden.
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Restrictions on non-essential travel in Europe – country by country
Denmark
Non-essential tourist travel to Denmark is currently being warned due to the high levels of infection. Only people with a valid reason and a negative coronavirus test, no more than 24 hours old, are allowed into the country. Denmark’s exclusion has been extended to 28 February. Restaurants, cafes and pubs, as well as cultural and leisure facilities, remain closed.
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Restrictions on non-essential travel in Europe – country by country
Switzerland
The border of Switzerland with its neighbors, the Schengen zone and most of Europe is open. Arrivals from some countries and regions that are classified as high risk due to their infection rate must be quarantined for ten days upon arrival. Flights from the United Kingdom and South Africa have been suspended. Since January 18, stores have had to close, with the exception of suppliers of everyday goods.
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Restrictions on non-essential travel in Europe – country by country
Luxembourg
Travelers from EU and Schengen countries can enter Luxembourg without having to present a negative COVID-19 test unless arriving by air; since January 29, a negative test must be shown during boarding. Non-essential travel from most third countries is prohibited until 31 March. Non-essential shops are open, but pubs and restaurants are closed in Luxembourg and there is a curfew from 23:00.
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Restrictions on non-essential travel in Europe – country by country
Czech Republic
Because the coronavirus is spreading rapidly in the Czech Republic, the government has extended a state of emergency until 28 February. The Czech government has closed three border areas and border control is in place. From 25 February, the wearing of FFP2 or surgical masks in public areas is compulsory throughout the country.
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Restrictions on non-essential travel in Europe – country by country
Norway
Norway has closed its borders until the end of February for all travel needs to prevent the spread of coronavirus variants. Apart from the Norwegian residents, only ‘socially critical staff’ were exempted from this admission rule. Of these, anyone coming from a red high-risk region should have a negative Covid-19 test result with them. A ten-day quarantine is also required.
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Restrictions on non-essential travel in Europe – country by country
Pole
Travelers from non-EU countries can only enter Poland for essential travel. The borders are open to travelers from the majority of the EU. All arrivals to Poland must isolate themselves for ten days, with exceptions related to work or residence in Poland. The country now also allows travelers with a COVID-19 vaccination certificate without access to quarantine.
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Restrictions on non-essential travel in Europe – country by country
Turkey
All travelers aged 6 and over will have to show a negative result on the PCR test before they can enter Turkey, and they can undergo health checks when they arrive there. Turkey has currently banned flights from the UK due to the new COVID-19 variant. Shopping malls, markets, restaurants and hairdressers are open during the week from 10:00 to 20:00.
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Restrictions on non-essential travel in Europe – country by country
Croatia
New measures temporarily limiting the border crossing were introduced on 30 November. However, some releases have been made. Croatia follows a traffic light system for travel restrictions and anyone coming from an EU country on the ‘green list’ can enter the country without any restrictions. It offers that they show no symptoms and also were not near an infected person.
Author: Susan Bonney-Cox
