Once health officials began to sequence the positive COVID-19 cases more carefully – that is, by genetically examining the test results – they also found more and more mutations.
Most of these mutations are insignificant. But there are some variants that concern researchers and authorities, in part because they are more contagious and because existing vaccines may be less effective in protecting against them.
There is no 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 more variants that cause concern in the United States that appear to have evolved there.
Rapid spread
In November, researchers first noticed a mutation in New York City called B.1.526. Since then, this variant has spread rapidly across the metropolis and across the state. In mid-February, it was detected in 12% of all samples in New York that were sequenced by genes.
This variant also appeared in other countries, such as Denmark.
The Californian variant, CAL.20, is believed to be more contagious than the original virus, but not as dangerous as the British 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 US variants?
So far, we do not have complete reliable data on these variants. The California variant, CAL.20C, is considered more contagious than the original SARS-CoV-2 virus. In swabs taken from infected individuals, the viral load in the samples was about double. But it is less infectious than the British mutant B.1.1.7, which has now been detected in a large number of countries, including Germany. Existing vaccines are considered to be somewhat less effective against the Californian virus variant, but still sufficient to protect patients from a severe course of COVID-19.
The variant of the 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 shows similarity with the Brazilian variants, P.1 and P.2 , which have been detected in more than 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 that variant.
New software helps in search
Finding the respective variants is only possible if you know what to look for. Although we now know the SARS-CoV-2 genome, the virus is 29,903 nucleotides in length, which is too long to allow quick identification of which variants could make it more infectious among the 611,000 genomes now stored in the GISAID database. .
The mutations were found using a 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 changes in the peak protein.
A mutation called E484K has been found in the South African and Brazilian variants.
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 it is here that antibodies with the strongest neutralizing effect attack.
A cause for concern, but not for panic
The tip of the spike protein is also altered in the New York variant. Understandably, this has caused some concern, Columbia University epidemiologist Wafaa El-Sadr told the German public broadcaster ARD. “These changes may result in the spike protein being able to bind better. Or that the virus can reproduce more quickly. Or that it cannot be fought by antibodies through our vaccines,” he said.
But until detailed and robust data on U.S. variants is available, these observations remain speculative and there is no need for panic, said Dave Chokshi, commissioner for the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. So far, there is no evidence that it spreads faster, either by making people sicker or by reducing the vaccine’s effectiveness, he said.
This article was translated from German.
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Restrictions on non-essential travel in Europe – country by country
Finland
The Finnish government has extended stricter regulations for at least 18 March for those entering the country. All travelers will have to do a coronavirus test at the border. Finland is restricting entry to all Schengen countries – where people can travel without border control – allowing only essential trips to work in services such as healthcare and emergency services.
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Restrictions on non-essential travel in 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 either have to submit a negative COVID-19 test with no more than 48 hours on arrival, or will be rejected. The new rules went into effect on February 6. There is a ban on entry into Sweden from the United Kingdom, Denmark and Norway, as well as Swedish citizens and people living or working in Sweden.
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Restrictions on non-essential travel in Europe – country by country
Denmark
Non-essential tourist trips to Denmark are currently being warned due to high levels of infection. Only people with a valid reason and a negative coronavirus test, with no more than 24 hours, will be allowed to enter the country. Denmark’s blockade was extended until 28 February. Restaurants, cafes and pubs, as well as cultural and leisure facilities, remain closed.
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Restrictions on non-essential travel in Europe – country by country
Switzerland
Switzerland’s border with its neighbors, Schengen countries and most of Europe is open. Arrivals from some nations and regions classified as “high risk” due to their infection rate must be quarantined for 10 days after 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 products for daily use.
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Restrictions on non-essential travel in Europe – country by country
Luxembourg
Travelers from EU and Schengen countries can enter Luxembourg without having to submit a negative COVID-19 test, unless they arrive by plane; since January 29, a negative test must be presented on boarding. Non-essential travel in most third countries is prohibited until 31 March. Non-essential shops are open, but bars and restaurants are closed in Luxembourg and there is a curfew from 11 pm.
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Restrictions on non-essential travel in Europe – country by country
Czech Republic
As the coronavirus is spreading rapidly in the Czech Republic, the government extended the state of emergency until February 28. The Czech government has isolated three border areas and border controls are in place. As of February 25, the use of FFP2 or surgical masks in public areas is mandatory throughout the country.
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Restrictions on non-essential travel in Europe – country by country
Norway
Norway closed its borders until the end of February for all trips, except essential ones, to prevent the spread of coronavirus variants. In addition to returning Norwegian residents, only “socially critical personnel” 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 in Europe – country by country
Poland
Travelers from countries outside the EU can only enter Poland for essential travel. Borders are open to travelers from most parts of the EU. All arrivals in Poland must be isolated 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 for quarantine.
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Restrictions on non-essential travel in Europe – country by country
Peru
All travelers aged 6 years and over must have a negative PCR test before they can enter Turkey and can undergo health checks when they arrive. Turkey currently banned flights from the UK due to the new variant COVID-19. Shopping centers, markets, restaurants and hairdressers are open from 10 am to 8 pm during the week.
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Restrictions on non-essential travel in Europe – country by country
Croatia
New measures that temporarily restrict border crossing were introduced on 30 November. However, some exemptions have been made. Croatia is following a traffic light system for travel restrictions and anyone from an EU country on the ‘green list’ can enter the country without any restrictions. This is as long as they have no symptoms and have not been very close to an infected person.
Author: Susan Bonney-Cox
