What you need to know about The New Variants of the Covid-19

In December 2020, the news media reported a new variant of the coronavirus that causes COVID19. Since then, other variants under investigation have been identified. The new variant raises the question: Are people at a higher risk of getting sick? Will the COVID19 vaccine continue to work? Do you now need to do something new or different to ensure the safety of your family?

Medical Vice Presidents Stuart Ray, M.D. and Robert Bollinger, M.D., M.P.H., Raj and Professor of Infectious Diseases Kamla Gupta, responsible for data integrity and analysis, are experts in SARS CoV2 (the virus that causes COVID19). They discuss known information about these new variants and answer any questions and concerns you may have.

Why is the coronavirus changing?

When the virus gene changes or mutates, a variant of the virus appears. Lei said that the nature of RNA viruses like coronaviruses is gradually evolving and changing. "Geographic separation often leads to genetically different mutations," he said. Mutations in the virus, including the coronavirus that caused the COVID19 pandemic, are not new or unexpected. Bollinger explained: "All RNA viruses mutate over time, and some mutate more than others. For example, influenza viruses change frequently, so doctors recommend that you get vaccinated every year."

Is there a new coronavirus mutation? 

"We have seen multiple variants of the SARSCoV2 coronavirus, and they are different from the version first discovered in China," Lei said. He noted that in September 2020 a mutated coronavirus was discovered in south-east England. This variant, now called alpha, quickly became the most common version of the coronavirus in the UK, accounting for roughly 60% of new COVID19 cases through December.

Has different variants in Brazil, California, and other regions. More contagious variants, such as beta, which first appeared in South Africa, can increase the ability to re-infect people who have recovered from the coronavirus early and can also be resistant to certain coronavirus vaccines that are being developed. However, the vaccines currently in use appear to provide important protection against serious diseases caused by the coronavirus mutation. 

What is a delta variant? 

Since the beginning of the COVID19 pandemic, the SARSCoV2 coronavirus that causes COVID19 has mutated (altered), resulting in different variants of the virus. One of them is called a delta variant. The CDC considers the delta coronavirus a "worrying variant" because it appears to spread more easily from person to person. As of July 2021, the delta is considered the most infectious SARSCoV2 coronavirus to date. 

This is what you need to know:

The CDC recommends that everyone wait until they are fully vaccinated against COVID19 before traveling abroad. If you are not fully vaccinated against COVID19, international travel is not recommended as this puts you at risk of contracting coronavirus, including the delta variant of SARSCoV2. This includes children who have not been vaccinated. 

• Delta is rapidly becoming the main variant of the SARSCoV2 virus in the United States this year.
• The delta variant SARSCoV2, the virus that causes COVID19, has been found in many countries/regions and may be encountered by people traveling internationally. 
• Unvaccinated adults and children should strictly observe masks, distance, and hygiene and safety precautions, and avoid international travel as much as possible. 
• Complete COVID19 vaccines can protect you from delta variants, but breakthrough infections sometimes occur. 
• All three FDA-cleared COVID19 vaccines can protect you from delta variants. For the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, you need two doses for maximum protection. People should know that vaccines are very effective in preventing the most serious form of COVID19, but breakthrough infections can occur and caution is still required after vaccination. 
• Although licensed COVID19 vaccines are not perfect, they are very effective against serious coronavirus illnesses and reduce the risk of hospitalization and death. 
• Other vaccines available in other countries / regions may not be effective in protecting you from the delta variant and other coronavirus mutations.
• Although the vaccine provides very high protection, it is still possible to infect Delta and other variants. Fortunately, vaccination, even among infected people, appears to prevent serious illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths caused by COVID19.

Will the COVID19 vaccine work in the new variants? 

Ray said: "Evidence from laboratory studies suggests that certain immune responses driven by current vaccines may be less effective for some of these variants. The immune response involves many components, including B cells that produce antibodies and can respond to infected cells. The reduction of one T cell does not mean that the vaccine will not provide protection. 

“People who vaccinate should understand the changes in CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] guidelines and continue to take coronavirus safety precautions to reduce the risk of infection, such as Use a mask, keep your distance and hand hygiene."

"We deal with the mutation of the influenza virus every year, and we will monitor and track this coronavirus," Bollinger said. If major mutations occur, the vaccine development process can adapt to these changes if necessary," he explained.

How is the new variant of the coronavirus different?  

"England's alpha variant has 17 genetic changes," Bollinger said. "There is some preliminary evidence that this variant is more contagious. Scientists have noticed an increase in cases in areas where new strains have emerged." 

He noted that some mutations and other variants in the alpha version appear to have affected the spines of the coronavirus Spike protein, which covers the outer layer of SARS CoV2 and gives the virus its characteristic spiny appearance. These proteins help the virus adhere to human cells in the nose, lungs, and other parts of the body. 

"Researchers have preliminary evidence that some new variants, including alpha, appear to bind more closely to our cells," Bollinger said. "Due to changes in the spike protein, this appears to make some of these new strains 'stickier.' Research is underway to better understand whether any variant is more likely to spread."

Is it the most dangerous variant of coronavirus ? 

Bollinger said that some of these mutations can cause the coronavirus to spread faster from person to person, and more infections will cause more people to become seriously ill or die.
 Furthermore, preliminary evidence from the UK suggests that certain variants may be related to more serious diseases. 

"Therefore, it is very important for us to expand the number of gene sequencing studies to track these variations," he said. 

Bollinger explained that it may be more beneficial for respiratory viruses to evolve to facilitate their spread. On the other hand, mutations that make the virus more lethal may not give the virus a chance to spread effectively. "If we get too sick or die early from a particular virus, the chance of that virus infecting others will decrease. However, more infections from more rapidly spreading mutations will lead to more deaths," he noted.

Will the new variant of COVID19 affect children more often than previous strains?  

Ray said that while experts in areas where new strains have emerged have found an increase in the number of cases in children, he noted that the data shows that children are being infected with both the old and new variants. "There is no convincing evidence that any mutation has a special tendency to infect or cause childhood disease. We need to be vigilant in monitoring such changes, but at this time we can only speculate," he said.

Will there be more new variants of the coronavirus? 

Yes. As long as the coronavirus spreads through the population, mutations will continue to occur. "Every week new variants of the SARSCoV2 virus are detected," Lei said. "Most people come and go; some people persist, but it will not become more common; some populations increase for a time and then disappear. When changes in infection patterns first appeared, it was difficult to know what was driving this trend: changes in viruses or changes in human behavior. It is concerning that similar changes in peak proteins are taking place independently on several continents. 

Are there additional COVID19 preventive measures for new coronavirus variants?  

Bollinger said that as of now, no new coronavirus variant requires new preventive strategies. He said: "We need to continue to take the basic precautions that we know about. Measures to stop the spread of the virus." 

Ray agreed: "There is no evidence that these variants are biologically different, so changes are needed to current recommendations aimed at limit the spread of COVID19, "he said." However, we must continue to address these phenomena. Stay alert. "

Ray emphasized that both vaccination and human behavior are important. "It is shocking that 99% of COVID19 deaths now occur in unvaccinated people, and the majority of adults in the United States are vaccinated," he said. "The more people are not vaccinated and infected, the greater the possibility of mutation. If the protection measures against COVID19 (wearing masks, maintaining body distance, maintaining hand hygiene and vaccinating) are maintained to limit the spread of the virus changes in the virus can be reduced. If it occurs, it can also reduce the spread of more contagious mutations. 

“Vaccines are a medical miracle in 2020, but we must re-emphasize basic public health measures, including the use of masks, keep physical distance and indoors, restrict gathering of poorly ventilated crowds. When we gather in a small space, we give the virus the advantage of evolution," he said. 

How should we pay attention to the variants of the coronavirus?  

"Most of the genetic changes we see in this virus are like The scars that people have accumulated in their lives: accidental road markings, most of which have no significant meaning or function," Lei said. "When there is enough evidence that changes in viral genes cause changes in viral behavior, our work on this virus There is a new understanding of the way. Viruses seem to have some limitations in evolution. Favorable mutations are drawn from a relatively limited menu, so hopefully we will not see variants that completely escape our vaccine. "

" As for these variants, we don't need to overreact," Bollinger said. "However, as with any virus, changes need to be observed to ensure that tests, treatments and vaccines remain effective. Scientists will continue to study new versions of the genetic sequencing of this coronavirus." 

"At the same time, we must continue to work hard. Prevent the spread of the virus and vaccinate as many people as possible as soon as possible. Do our best."