The coronavirus strains first detected in California are officially; worrisome variants, ” says CDC

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The variants may be about 20% more transmissible, the CDC said, citing early research. Some Covid-19 treatments may also be less effective against the strains. Still, the CDC didn’t say the vaccines would stop working against them.

In laboratory studies, antibodies from vaccinated people appear to be less effective at neutralizing strains. But lower levels of antibodies may still be enough to protect against Covid-19, especially severe cases. Certain immune cells can also help protect against disease – not just antibodies.

No variant of the coronavirus currently reaches the highest threat level of the US government, “variant of great consequence.” Strains of coronavirus that drastically reduce the effectiveness of vaccines would fall into this category.

Concerns about antibody treatments

Still, health officials are concerned that some treatments won’t work as well against the variants, which are officially called B.1.427 and B.1.429. Scientists have been monitoring strains in California closely in recent months.

The US Department of Health and Human Services recently halted shipments of anti-Covid-19 antibody treatment to California, Nevada and Arizona, where variants circulate widely.

The agency cited concerns that the treatment, which is manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company and called bamlanivimab, may be less effective against the strains.

Officials said another Covid-19 therapy made by Eli Lilly, a combination of bamlanivimab and another drug, etesevimab, can still be ordered. The first results show that the combination of drugs can significantly reduce the risk of hospitalization and death. Different antibody treatment performed by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals was also not affected by the action of HHS.

These two therapies are “cocktails” that combine two different antibodies made in the laboratory. This is believed to make them more resistant to emerging strains of the coronavirus. If a mutation allows the virus to escape one antibody, it may still be susceptible to the other.

Eli Lilly said on Tuesday he was constantly monitoring the Covid-19 environment for variants and testing his therapies against a “wide range of mutations and emerging variants.”

“We have always been of the view that additional antibodies from Lilly and others will need to be developed to cope with the evolution of the virus, including emerging variants which may differ from country to country or even from state to state. the other, “Eli Lilly said in an emailed statement to CNN. Tuesday.

“In fact, this is what motivated our work on bamlanivimab and etesevimab together and continues to support our strategy moving forward.”

CNN’s Jen Christensen contributed to this report.

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