A mutation of the new coronavirus, first identified in South Africa, has officially arrived in the United States. South Carolina health officials announced on Thursday that two cases of the variant – known as B.1.351 – were identified in two residents with no recent travel history, suggesting that they were acquired locally.
South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) officials in a press release said they were contacted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) after the genome sequencing of a South Carolina sample was the variant .
Both cases were identified in adults, “one from Lowcountry and one from the Pee Dee region,” officials said, noting that “there is no known travel history and no connection between these two cases”.
“The arrival of the SARS-CoV-2 variant in our state is an important reminder for all South Carolinaians that the fight against this deadly virus is far from over,” said DHEC Acting Director of Public Health, Dr. Brannon Traxler, in a statement.
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“We know that viruses mutate to live and live to mutate,” added Traxler. “This is why it is essential that we all continue to do our part, performing small actions that make a big difference. This includes wearing our masks, staying at least two meters away from others, avoiding large crowds, washing your hands, do tests frequently, and when we can, get vaccinated. These are the best tools to prevent the spread of the virus, no matter the strain. “
Although experts say the South African variant is more transmissible than COVID-19, they do not think it is more virulent, meaning that it is no longer likely to cause more serious illness.
In addition, experts emphasized that existing coronavirus vaccines are likely to remain effective against the variant, with Moderna – its COVID-19 jab was the second to see US emergency approval – expressing confidence in its vaccine’s ability to remain effective against emerging strains of the virus, including the South African variant and a separate variant first identified in the UK, following the results of a study not yet peer-reviewed.
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The company had been conducting in vitro neutralization studies of sera from individuals vaccinated with the Modern vaccine who were then exposed to the new variants detected.
The test results show no significant impact on the vaccine’s effectiveness in neutralizing the virus, despite the introduction of new variants. However, the company will move ahead with plans to test a booster injection “to further increase neutralization titles against emerging strains,” said the company, as well as presenting another candidate for variant reinforcement specifically against the South African variant. .
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Separately, Pfizer and BioNTech – the companies’ COVID-19 vaccine was the first to see emergency approval in the United States – have already expressed confidence in their COVID-19 vaccine’s ability to protect against new variants. In early January, the companies published a study not yet reviewed by peers that showed that the jab remained effective against strains in the United Kingdom and South Africa.
Before its discovery in the United States, variant B.1.351 had already been identified in more than 30 countries around the world.
Fox News’ Alexandria Hein contributed to this report.