An emergency meeting on the discovery of a new strain of coronavirus was announced by the WHO this Friday. This is a potentially dangerous strain of B.1.1.529 coronavirus. According to the researchers, B.1.1.529 has 32 mutations in the protein compounds of the coronavirus thorn, which gives it the ability to more easily penetrate into the cells of the human body. Some researchers have already “scared” world tourism that due to the large number of mutations, the virus is resistant to all known vaccines, which means, among other things, that hopes for the resumption of tourism – even if only among the vaccinated – did not come true.
So far, the WHO has announced only a special meeting due to the detection of a new strain of coronavirus B.1.1.529 in South Africa. According to the head of the technical group of the WHO emergency department Maria Van Kerkhove. She said the organization was “tracking a new variant with dozens of mutations in the adhesion protein” and planned to discuss how this would affect the effectiveness of vaccines.
“We do not have enough information about him yet. Less than 100 complete genetic sequences are available. However, we know that this strain has many mutations,” said the expert. In fact, it will be a question of whether to classify this strain as a variant of concern (VOC) or as a variant of interest (VOI). If the strain falls into one of these categories, the WHO will give it a name in the form of a letter of the Greek alphabet.
She also added that research is planned to last several weeks. These studies will finally test the resistance of the virus to vaccines. At least British professor Tim Peacock, who studied the new strain at its site in Botswana, estimated that B.1.1.529 has 32 mutations in the protein compounds of the coronavirus thorn, giving it the ability to more easily penetrate the cells of the human body. That is, the virus is significantly more contagious – and possibly resistant to all known vaccines.
The virus has already emerged from South Africa – it is said that it was found in Israel. The tourist, who returned from Africa, was sent to quarantine. Israel and Britain have hastily closed flights to African countries for fear of disease.
Also, British experts said that a new strain of coronavirus appeared in the body of a person with a weakened immune system, possibly a patient with HIV. It will be recalled that in the summer season, experts also recorded a very dangerous companion of the coronavirus – and feared an epidemic after an outbreak of “black mold” – mucormycosis – was recorded in India, mainly “attacking” patients with coronavirus. Although the death rate from the disease is up to 50%, experts feared a new “concomitant” epidemic. However, it did not happen. Although cases have been recorded – including in tourist countries such as Egypt and Mexico.