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All viruses mutate over time and Sars-CoV-2, which has come to be known worldwide as the novel coronavirus, is no exception. He has mutated thousands of times since being identified over a year ago.
Every once in a while a virus mutates in a way that helps it survive and reproduce. It may have happened with a new variant of the coronavirus appearing in California.
People have tested positive for COVID-19 with this new variant in 12 counties so far, including Los Angeles, Riverside, San Francisco, Orange, San Bernardino, San Diego, Humboldt, Lake, Mono, Monterey, San Luis Obisbo and also San Clara County, where it has been linked to epidemics.
Researchers are trying to determine whether the new variant is more infectious than the current dominant strain.
“These viruses are quite intelligent and they are known to mutate,” said Karin Michels, president of epidemiology at UCLA Fielding School of Public Health.
The variant contains mutations in the spike protein, which viruses use to attack cell walls, Michels said. The two COVID-19 vaccines on the market, made by Pfizer and Moderna, train the body’s immune system to attack the spike protein.
“We are currently facing the first significant mutation of this virus. Fortunately, it looks like he’s mutated in a way that the current vaccine still protects against this new variant, ”Michels said.
But if the virus is left unchecked, it mutates faster, she said, potentially in a way than current vaccines can not protect against.
“This could be, another variant under development, which will not be captured and covered by our vaccine. That’s why it’s so important to get people vaccinated as quickly as possible, ”Michels said.
The new mutation is different from the highly contagious strain first discovered in the UK, which is also worrying public health officials. The US federal government has warned that the UK variant could become the dominant strain in that country by March.
If that happens, hospitals could be overwhelmed by a rapid increase in new cases of COVID-19.
Michels said she was worried.
“We are running against time. Who will win, us or the virus? ”
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