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Fear is again enveloping the world. A new variant of the coronavirus called B.1.1.529 is giving scientists and policymakers sleepless nights. First identified in South Africa, it has many mutations in its spike protein, and the scientists who have studied it are not yet sure about the efficacy of Covid-19 vaccines against it.
Although it is limited to South Africa, mainly a few other African countries, it could spread fast, the experts fear. For instance, in South Africa, there has been exponential growth, with cases increasing four-fold in just two weeks. While the exact origin of the new variant is yet to be determined, South Africa has pressed the alarm bells.
The fear has also spread to the world’s stock markets, with many crashing down to fresh lows.
Addressing the British Parliament, the health secretary Sajid Javid said that early indications indicated that the variant might be more transmissible than Delta, and current vaccines may be less effective against it. (https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/nov/26/covid-news-live-new-variant-sparks-tougher-restrictions-in-india-and-singapore-ahead-of-who-meeting) Singapore, which is a major transit port in the region, has announced that it would restrict arrivals from South Africa and countries which could have the new variant.
Great Britain has already imposed restrictions on flights from countries that have reported cases of the new variant. (https://edition.cnn.com/videos/health/2021/11/25/south-african-new-variant-covid-mckenzie-qmb-intl-vpx.cnn)
The World Health Organization (WHO) which has been accused in the past of being slow in reacting to outbreaks has been quick off the blocks this time. It has called for a meeting to determine if the B.1.1.529 variant should be designated a variant of “interest” or of “concern”. (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/nov/26/who-to-assess-new-highly-mutated-covid-19-variant-as-countries-ramp-up-health-checks)
Some argue that a high number of mutations may not necessarily make a variant more dangerous or transmissible. For instance, a few months back, a variant in South Africa called C.1.2 raised concerns, but it didn’t take a serious turn. Vaccination could be all the more important now, and even booster doses could be stressed in many countries.
Read more:
Why the new variant could evade immunity:
https://edition.cnn.com/2021/11/25/world/covid-variant-south-africa-immune-evasion-transmissibility/index.html
Where do coronavirus variants come from?
https://edition.cnn.com/2021/06/29/health/how-coronavirus-variants-evolve/index.html