A new type of coronavirus with a “constellation” of mutations has been identified in Botswana.
Designated as B.1.1.529, scientists are still unclear whether the antibodies present would interact well with the variant — which contains the 32 spike protein mutations.
Tom Peacock, a virologist at Imperial College London, described the mutations as “really awful”.
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Spike proteins are what viruses use to get into human cells, and some vaccines work by training the body to recognize and neutralize mutations.
Therefore, spikes on spikes can be problematic for mRNA dosers, such as Pfizer and Moderna.
However, with only a small number of cases recorded – three in Botswana, six in South Africa and one in Hong Kong of someone who traveled from South Africa – the scientists hope that Corona virus disease Cases caused by the new virus The sample will not be scattered.
François Ballou, professor of computational systems biology at University College London, said: “At the moment it should be closely monitored and analyzed, but there is no reason to be overly concerned, unless it starts to rise in the near future.”
She added that the “constellation” of mutations on B.1.1.529 could be because it “developed during a chronic infection of an immunocompromised person, possibly in an untreated HIV/AIDS patient”.
This comes amid reports that England may be closer to the “end” of the epidemic Any other European country.
Scientists believe that high rates of vaccination and infection mean that there is a high level of immunity now.
According to The Times, scientists at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine estimate that – if all restrictions and vaccinations were ended immediately – England would have around 10,000 more deaths from COVID compared to its population of 56 million.
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This compares with an estimated 114,000 in Germany – population 83.2 million – and 16,000 in Greece – population 10.7 million.
The researchers did not study Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland directly, but they expect similar numbers for England.
According to Johns Hopkins University, the UK has recorded 144,728 COVID-related deaths, Germany 100,123 and Greece 17,612 so far.
Lloyd Chapman, from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said the reason England had a better outlook going forward was because infections had previously been higher.
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“In the sense that we have paid a very high price for having come a long way on the path towards achieving a high level of immunity in the population,” he said.
“Whether this is the right strategy or not, I think somehow will only be determined by time.”