New variant of coronavirus spotted in California raises alarm bells

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Two studies coming out soon suggest that the variant, which virologists call B.1.427 / B.1.429, may not only be more contagious, but also cause more serious disease.

A team of scientists at the University of California at San Francisco (UCSF) tested virus samples from recent outbreaks across the state and found that the new variant was becoming much more common. It was not seen in any September samples, but by the end of January it was found in half of them.

A major caveat: the research is in its very early stages, has not been published or peer reviewed, and needs more work.

Scientists say the variant has a different pattern of mutations than those first seen in the UK and South Africa. One of its mutations affects the virus spike protein, which is the part that attaches to cells infected with the virus. Dr Charles Chiu, associate director of UCSF’s clinical microbiology laboratory and head of the study, said the mutation could make the virus more efficient at attaching to cells, increasing its infectivity.

Chiu’s team have also found evidence that he’s more dangerous. Scientists said they had observed “increased severity of disease” associated with the new variant, including “an increased risk of high oxygen requirements”. Their report will be posted on a pre-print server later this week after San Francisco public health officials review it.

New variants could lead to complications in the coming weeks in the United States, although infections are currently on the decline across the country and more people are vaccinated.

Public health experts fear that new variants will overtake vaccinations, which is why many have stressed the need to double safety measures such as wearing face masks, social distancing and avoiding crowded areas.

So far, more than 1,900 cases of coronavirus strains first spotted in the United Kingdom, South Africa and Brazil have been reported in the United States, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC ). Most of those cases – around 1,881 – are of the variant first identified in the UK which the CDC says could become the predominant strain next month.

YOU ASKED. WE HAVE ANSWER

Q: How should I prepare for my Covid-19 vaccination?

A: Wait your turn to make an appointment and be sure to follow all instructions. Check if you need to fill out any documents in advance and bring all required documents. Know what you need and make sure you have it.

Try to get all the information in advance. “You want to minimize your time at the vaccination site, and people will probably be very busy there and may not have time to answer your questions in depth,” said CNN medical analyst Dr. Leana. Wen, emergency physician and visiting professor at the Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University. She said many answers can be found on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s FAQ website.

And yes, you absolutely must wear a mask to your date.

Send your questions here. Are you a health worker fighting Covid-19? Message us on WhatsApp about the challenges you are facing: +1 347-322-0415.

WHAT IS IMPORTANT TODAY

Enter the new Russian Covid-19 vaccine factory

The facility where Soviet scientists once studied biological weapons is now being used to mass produce a Covid-19 vaccine. Home to Generium Pharmaceutical, which has been hired to increase production of the Russian vaccine, Sputnik V, the sprawling high-tech complex in Volginsky, about 70 miles east of Moscow, is one of seven new factories across the country.

Sputnik V has become one of the most pre-ordered vaccines in the world, with at least 30 countries signing contracts for nearly 2.5 billion doses, according to figures from the Russian Direct Investment Fund. But the Russians’ demand for Sputnik V turned out to be much less enthusiastic, report Zahra Ullah and Matthew Chance.
The vaccine vials are packaged at the Generium Pharmaceutical factory.

Ghana is the first country to be vaccinated via COVAX

Ghana today receives the world’s first delivery of Covid-19 vaccines through the World Health Organization’s COVAX program, which aims to deliver vaccines to low- and middle-income countries that otherwise would not be able to pay them.

The country of 30 million people receives 600,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines produced by the Serum Institute of India. Ghana has reported at least 80,759 cases of Covid-19 and 582 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University.

Last month, India and the African Union announced plans for the Serum Institute to deliver 400 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine to Africa. The global vaccine rollout, however, has been incredibly uneven: of the more than 212 million doses of vaccine that have been administered worldwide, most have gone to people living in wealthy countries.

US to receive 240 million doses of vaccine by April

The United States can expect to receive 240 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine by the end of March, pharmaceutical companies told a House subcommittee on Tuesday.

Pfizer and Moderna – the two companies with Covid-19 vaccines cleared for emergency use in the United States – have pledged to make a combined total of 220 million doses available for shipment by the end of March . Meanwhile, Johnson & Johnson, which could obtain emergency use authorization for its Covid-19 vaccine from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration later this week, has pledged to make 20 million doses available during from the same period.

ON OUR RADAR

  • Study that found teachers – not students – likely source of several school-related Covid-19 outbreaks underscores need to maintain safety measures and prioritize teachers and school staff for vaccination, the CDC said.
  • WHO reports the sixth consecutive week of decline in global coronavirus cases.
  • The Philippines will allow nurses to work in Britain and Germany in exchange for coronavirus vaccines.
  • US President Joe Biden has said his administration will “probably” send millions of masks soon.
  • Some TV shows tell stories about the pandemic. Some viewers wish this was not the case.
  • A new app to help travelers store and manage their certifications for Covid-19 tests and vaccines is expected to launch next month.

TOP TIP

Quarantines, social distancing, distance learning, FMH … no wonder the pandemic has led to a huge spike in loneliness among people.
There are ways to reduce loneliness even in a lockout. For example, this new study shows that talking to someone on the phone for just 10 minutes several times a week – if you control the conversation – can make a big difference.

PODCAST OF THE DAY

“We found real new data on human cases in December, a lot more cases than we thought and a lot more cases that weren’t associated with the market.” – Peter Daszak, President of EcoHealth Alliance

Zoologist and President of the EcoHealth Alliance Peter Daszak has just returned from Wuhan, China. CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr Sanjay Gupta Tells Him About What It Is Over There Now, And His Findings In A World Health Organization Investigation Listen now.

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