Since health authorities began to more carefully sequence COVID-19 positive cases – that is, to genetically examine test results – they have also found more and more mutations.
Most of these mutations are insignificant. But there are a few variations that worry researchers and officials, in part because they are more contagious and because existing vaccines might be less effective at protecting against them.
More freedom of movement. Some countries are trying to stem the spread of mutations by closing borders.
In addition to the variants identified in Britain, South Africa and Brazil, there are two other worrisome variants in the United States that appear to have evolved there.
Rapid spread
In November, researchers first noticed a mutation in New York called B.1.526. Since then, this variant has spread rapidly throughout the metropolis and throughout the state. As of mid-February, it had been detected in 12% of all New York samples that had been sequenced by genes.
This variant has also appeared in other countries such as Denmark.
The California variant, CAL.20, is believed to be more contagious than the original virus, but not as dangerous as the UK variant.
The so-called California variant, first detected in July 2020, has also spread rapidly. Meanwhile, the two similar types, B.1.427 and B.1.429, of the California variant can be found in about a quarter of the samples sequenced by genes in California.
What do we know about the two American variants?
So far, we do not have reliable and complete data on these variants. The California variant, CAL.20C, is believed to be more contagious than the original SARS-CoV-2 virus. In swabs taken from infected individuals, the viral load of the samples was found to be approximately doubled. But it is less contagious than the British mutant B.1.1.7, which has now been detected in a large number of countries, including Germany. Existing vaccines are believed to be somewhat less effective against the California virus variant, but still sufficient to protect patients from a severe course of COVID-19.
The variant of New York virus, B.1.526, is similar to the South African variant, B.1.351, which has already been detected in more than 40 countries, and also bears similarity to the Brazilian variants, P.1 and P.2, which have been detected in over 20 countries, most recently in the UK.
It is still unclear whether the New York variant is more contagious or dangerous, and whether existing vaccines are still sufficiently effective against this variant.
New software helps research
Finding the respective variants is only possible if you know what to look for. Although we now know the genome of SARS-CoV-2, the virus is 29,903 nucleotides in length, which is far too long to allow rapid identification of variants that could make it more infectious among the 611,000 genomes now stored in the GISAID database.
The mutations were found using new software called Variant Database (VDB) developed at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, by a team led by Pamela Bjorkman. It focuses on the changes in the spike protein.
A mutation called E484K has been found in the South African and Brazilian variant.
The potentially dangerous mutation E484K, which is present in B.1.351 and P.1, alters the receptor binding domain of the spike protein, and this is where the antibodies with the strongest neutralizing effect attack.
A source of worry, but no panic
The tip of the spike protein is also modified in the New York variant. Naturally, this raised concerns, epidemiologist Wafaa El-Sadr of Columbia University told German public broadcaster ARD. “These changes may allow the spike protein to bind better. Or that the virus may reproduce faster. Or that it cannot be fought off by antibodies through our vaccines,” he said.
But, until detailed and solid data on the US variants becomes available, these observations remain speculative and there is no need to panic, said Dave Chokshi, commissioner in the Department of Health and Hygiene. mental health of New York City. So far, there is no evidence that it is spreading any faster, either to make people sicker or to reduce the effectiveness of the vaccine, he said.
This article has been translated from German.
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Restrictions on non-essential travel within Europe – country by country
Finland
The Finnish government has extended tighter regulations for those entering the country until at least March 18. All travelers will need to take a coronavirus test at the border. Finland restricts entry to all Schengen countries – where people are allowed to travel without border controls – allowing only travel essential for work for services such as healthcare and emergency services.
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Restrictions on non-essential travel within Europe – country by country
Sweden
Travelers from most EU countries and people traveling from non-EU countries that are exempt from the EU entry ban will be required to show a negative COVID-19 test no more than 48 hours on arrival, or be refused. The new rules went into effect on February 6. There is a ban on entry to Sweden from the UK, Denmark and Norway, with the exception of Swedish citizens and people who live or work in Sweden.
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Restrictions on non-essential travel within Europe – country by country
Denmark
Non-essential tourist travel to Denmark is currently on a warning due to high levels of infection. Only people with a valid reason and a negative coronavirus test, no more than 24 hours, will be allowed to enter the country. Denmark’s lockdown has been extended until February 28. Restaurants, cafes and pubs, as well as cultural and leisure facilities, remain closed.
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Restrictions on non-essential travel within Europe – country by country
Switzerland
Switzerland’s border with its neighbors, the countries of the Schengen zone and most of Europe are open. Arrivals from certain countries and regions classified as “high risk” due to their infection rate must be quarantined for 10 days upon arrival. Flights from the UK and South Africa have been suspended. Since January 18, stores have had to close, with the exception of suppliers of consumer staples.
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Restrictions on non-essential travel within Europe – country by country
Luxembourg
Travelers from EU and Schengen area countries can enter Luxembourg without having to present a negative COVID-19 test, unless they arrive by plane; since January 29, a negative test must be presented upon boarding. Non-essential travel from most third countries is banned until March 31. Non-essential shops are open, but bars and restaurants are closed in Luxembourg and there is a curfew from 11pm.
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Restrictions on non-essential travel within Europe – country by country
Czech Republic
Because the coronavirus is spreading rapidly in the Czech Republic, the government has extended the state of emergency until February 28. The Czech government has sealed off three border areas and border controls are in place. Since February 25, the wearing of FFP2 or surgical masks in public spaces is mandatory throughout the country.
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Restrictions on non-essential travel within Europe – country by country
Norway
Norway closed its borders until the end of February to all travel except those essential to prevent the spread of coronavirus variants. Apart from returning Norwegian residents, only “socially critical staff” are exempt from this entry rule. Of these, anyone arriving from a high-risk red region must have a negative Covid-19 test result with them. A ten-day quarantine is also required.
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Restrictions on non-essential travel within Europe – country by country
Poland
Travelers from third countries can only enter Poland for essential trips. The borders are open to travelers from the majority of the EU. All arrivals to Poland must self-isolate for 10 days with some exceptions related to work or residence in Poland. The country now also allows travelers with a COVID-19 vaccination certificate to enter without the need to quarantine.
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Restrictions on non-essential travel within Europe – country by country
turkey
All travelers aged 6 and over will be required to present a negative PCR test result before entering Turkey and may be subject to a health check upon arrival. Turkey has currently banned flights from the UK due to the new COVID-19 variant. Shopping centers, markets, restaurants and hairdressers are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. all week.
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Restrictions on non-essential travel within Europe – country by country
Croatia
New measures temporarily restricting border crossings were introduced on November 30. However, some exemptions have been granted. Croatia maintains a traffic light system for travel restrictions and anyone coming from an EU country on the “green list” can enter the country without any restrictions. This is provided that they have no symptoms and that they have not been in the vicinity of an infected person.
Author: Susan Bonney-Cox
