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New corona mutation is spreading - virus variant apparently far more contagious than known form

2020-12-21T12:13:43.814Z


While corona vaccines are being approved for the first time, a new mutation of the coronavirus is spreading. Apparently, the variant is far more contagious.


While corona vaccines are being approved for the first time, a new mutation of the coronavirus is spreading.

Apparently, the variant is far more contagious.

  • The coronavirus variant B1.1.7 is currently spreading mainly in parts of Great Britain.

  • The mutation is apparently much more contagious than the conventional coronavirus.

  • What is already known about the new shape.

London - A

new variant of the corona virus

has apparently

been discovered in

Great Britain

.

According to

Prime Minister Boris Johnson

, according to initial findings, this is significantly more contagious than the known form.

It is currently assumed that the variant is up to 70 percent more contagious, the politician told journalists.

However, experts are skeptical of this number and warn against scaremongering.

The German

top virologist Christian Drosten,

for example, expressed doubts about the value, which is a pure estimate.

The number was "simply called that".

"Suddenly there is such a value in the room - 70 percent - and nobody even knows what is meant by it,"

continues

Drosten

.

Nevertheless, the

virologist

does not want to play down

the problem of the

virus mutation

, which belongs to the so-called

virus line B1.1.7

.

At the moment, however, the data situation is still too sketchy to make precise statements.

Corona mutation B1.1.7 discovered in England - has the virus spread further?

It also still needs to be clarified whether the

mutated virus is

really responsible for the

corona wave in south-east England

.

According to

Drosten

,

in rare cases

the

changed virus

appeared in England at the end of September.

In the meantime it could have spread more widely and it could already be in

Germany

.

According to Drosten, the mutation has not yet been discovered in Germany

(

as of December 20

).

Nevertheless, precautions are being taken in the Federal Republic.

The

corona mutation

seems to have

already been discovered in

Italy

- a patient who was infected with the virus variant is already being treated there.

The B.1.1.7 line has two possibly reinforcing and one possibly weakening mutation (ORF8).

Other unclear mutations.

Original virus / mutant not yet compared in the laboratory.

Distribution can be a coincidence, not necessarily a selection advantage, but possible.

Not seen in D yet.

https://t.co/gn6xl2Xrl3

- Christian Drosten (@c_drosten) December 20, 2020


The

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson

commented in a speech also on vaccine related to the

Corona mutation

.

There is no evidence that

vaccines

are less effective, he said.

“There is still a lot we don't know.

But there is no evidence that the

new variant

triggers more or more severe disease processes. ”The

new corona mutation

has also not yet identified

any higher mortality

.

Coronavirus mutation: Change in the spike protein - Another variation also discovered in South Africa

In itself it is not unusual for

viruses

- and thus also the

coronavirus

- would change.

The new

corona mutation

differs from the already known form by a change in the so-called

spike protein of Sars-CoV-2

.

This particular mutation is known as

N501Y

.

With its spike-like structure, the virus attaches to human cells and then penetrates them.

A corona mutation apparently also spread in South Africa - as in Denmark.

You can find an overview of the different virus variants here.

Corona mutation: New virus variant is spreading - Strict measures are being adopted in affected regions in England

Because of the

coronavirus mutation B.1.1.7,

the government

significantly

tightened the restrictions for London from Sunday (December 20).

"If the

virus

changes its method of attack, we'll have to change our method of defense," said Johnson.

The previously three-stage corona warning system has now been expanded to four - including the capital as well as other regions in the southeast, for which an

express lockdown has also been

ordered.

Video: The Coronavirus Vaccines

In the

affected regions

, residents are only allowed to leave their homes for important reasons, for example to go to the doctor or to work.

Because of the

corona mutation,

you should

n't meet members of other households

at Christmas

either, Johnson emphasized.

“We can't spend Christmas as planned.” All non-essential businesses and other facilities such as fitness studios or beauty salons have to close.

Residents in regions with the

highest Corona level 4

are not allowed to leave this zone.

(

dpa / nema

)

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2020-12-21

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