The Mu variant started to worry US health authorities

The World Health Organization (WHO) has listed the new variant of COVID-19, known as Mu, as a “variant of interest” which has already grown by Colombia, Chile, Peru, Korea, parts of the United States and Europe.

it’s about the fifth variant of interest supervised by the world’s highest medical authority. It was first identified in Colombia in January 2021. Since then, it has spread to South Korea, Canada, Europe, Japan and various parts of Latin America according to the WHO. In Colombia, Peru and Chile, it is the predominant variant.

In the United States, at least two thousand cases of this variant have been recorded, based on data from the Global Influenza Data Sharing Initiative. The states in which these cases have been registered are California, Florida, Texas and New York.

In South America and South Korea, those who contracted the Mu variant and were vaccinated against COVID-19, have had cases moderate a light, similar to what happens with the other variants, according to the health authorities in these countries.

In the United States, the efficacy of vaccines in this variant is under investigation, but there is still not enough data to advise on this. The doctor Antoine Fauci, senior infection expert for the US government, confirmed this from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) ”the Mu variant is closely followed”. It is known that, as has happened with other variants, Mu is easier to distribute. Fauci himself has confirmed that they have data indicating that this variant can be stronger than some antibodies, although the vaccines appear to be effective at the moment.

In any event, what continues to worry the country is the Delta variant, which represents 99% of cases today. Given the current conditions, it is highly unlikely that the Mu variant or other variants will outperform the Delta.

Daily coronavirus infections in the country increased by 316% compared to the daily infections that were recorded over the Labor Day weekend last year (which is celebrated in the United States today). As expected, deaths have also increased, albeit at a slower pace. Today, compared to a year ago, there is twice as many deaths from COVID-19.

The authorities insist that This aggressive new wave is due to the Delta variant and the fact that a high percentage of the nation has yet to be vaccinated despite the fact that for months vaccines have been available without restrictions for all over 12 years of age.

Hospitalizations increased by 158% compared to a year ago, as reported by the Federal Department of Health and Social Services. In some hospitals, the situation is so complicated that there is a lack of space in intensive care. “Doctors are going to have to start making some very difficult decisions very soon“Fauci said at the weekly press conference.

The vast majority (over 95%), hospitalized people are people who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

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