The famous ‘South African’ variant of COVID-19 was found in Hawaii.
The State Department of Health Laboratories (SLD) has identified the technically named B.1.351 variant in an O’ahu resident with no travel history.
To date, this is the first and only incident of the variant confirmed in Hawaii. However, Acting State Epidemiologist Dr Sarah Kemble said that contact detection revealed positive tests in individuals involved in the case, meaning that further spread of the community is very possible.
“This is of concern because B.1.351 has a mutation that makes it more transmissible from one person to another, and a separate mutation that makes it less responsive to the antibodies we form when we have COVID or are vaccinated,” he said. SLD director Dr. Edward Desmond.
The mutation that increases transmissibility is called N501Y. The mutation that can reduce the effectiveness of antibodies is called E484K.
The N501Y and E484K mutations were previously seen in Hawai’i, but this is the first time both mutations have been found together in one virus.
“Although theoretical concerns have been raised as to whether vaccination will be effective against new varieties of varieties, the actual data so far have been reassuring,” Kemble said. “A study in South Africa showed that the Johnson & Johnson vaccine was effective in preventing serious diseases requiring hospitalization and in preventing death, even where B.1.351 was the predominant strain.”
She added that the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines would logically also be effective against the South African variant from a standard scientific perspective. However, these two companies do not yet have the data that Johnson & Johnson has because they did not test their products specifically in South Africa during the trial phase.
“There are theoretical concerns,” Kemble said, “(but) at the moment, data is promising. The more people are vaccinated, you will not even get a foothold for these viruses. They do not even get the chance to pose a threat. ”
Kemble further noted that the South African variant ⚊ as well as other possible antibody and vaccine resistant variants now identified in Hawaii, including one originating from Brazil, have not been proven to cause serious diseases in people who contract them. .
Apart from the South African tribe, two new cases of the B.1.1.7 variant, also known as the British variant, have been identified since the last report of the state. This means that a total of eight B.1.1.7 variant cases have been detected in Hawaii so far.
The British variant, first detected in Hawai’i in early February, has the N501Y transferability mutation, but not the E484K mutation. The latest cases of B.1.1.7 relate to two residents of O’ahu, one who traveled to the mainland of the United States (Las Vegas) and a domestic contact of the person.
Investigation into cases of recently detected variants continues. Close contacts have been quarantined.
“Research shows that community mitigation measures are effective in reducing the risk of transmission of even the most aggressive variants,” said Dr. Elizabeth Char, director of state health, said. “This means that it is more important than ever to wear masks, maintain physical distance and wash hands. The effectiveness of vaccines in preventing serious illness or death means that we need to be vaccinated as soon as it is our turn. ”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced new guidelines on Monday, saying that people who are fully vaccinated can congregate in a small private environment without masks. Dr. Kemble elaborated on it as part of the DOH press conference.
“We still need to take careful note of who is at risk,” she said. “If everyone is fully vaccinated, you can hold a meeting without wearing masks.”
However, Kemble added that if there is anyone present with the danger of serious outcomes, social distance should be taken and mask worn. Regardless of vaccine status, everyone should continue to follow DOH safety protocols when interacting in public spaces.
The SLD continues to conduct weekly genomic sequencing on COVID samples from across the state in order to detect variant strains, including worrying strains. This systemic search for variant strains is accomplished with the cooperation of laboratories in the private sector.