Credit: New Jersey National Guard via Flickr
What will happen next with the COVID-19 pandemic remains a wait-and-see situation, but Dr. Michael Osterholm, an infectious disease expert at the University of Minnesota, believes the new strain that has led to a new round of strict closures in the The UK is a harbinger of things to come in America.
“I think what we’re seeing right now in England will be a harbinger of things to come,” Osterholm said, noting in his weekly podcast that the virus has spread to at least 33 countries, including the United States. where it goes, I think this will spread all over the world and we can expect to see what happens in England in many other places. ”
There are two new confirmed variants of the coronavirus and neither has been confirmed in Minnesota, although Gov. Tim Walz said Wednesday that “it’s probably here.”
“We’re looking for this variant, we have the ability to do it in our public health lab,” said Jan Malcolm, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Health. “We are continually examining it.”
What is found in the UK and other parts of the world, including some US states, is known as B117. Another variant initially discovered in South Africa is known as B1351. Most importantly, so far the Disease Control Centers have not found evidence to suggest that COVID-19 vaccines do not work against mutations.
And, according to Reuters, Pfizer has conducted tests to see if its vaccine works against mutations and announced Thursday evening that its vaccine appears to be effective against these two strains of virus, although its study has not yet been done. peer-reviewed.
Osterholm recorded his last podcast before this announcement, but it would be good news as the mutation in South Africa worried him in particular, after the possibilities were raised that he could avoid the vaccines made so far.
The CDC says the virus that mutates to a point that makes vaccines less effective would be the worst case scenario, but “there is no evidence that this happens and most experts believe that escape mutants are unlikely to appear. due to the nature of the virus. “
Vaccine manufacturers have said they would be able to modify vaccines to combat mutations, although it may take at least six weeks to do so.
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However, coronavirus mutations are thought to be more contagious, while the vaccination process is only beginning in the United States.
In Britain, hospitalizations have skyrocketed, leading to fears that more cases in America could lead to more hospitalizations and deaths at a time when the country is already breaking daily records.
“Early indicators show that this variant, while not more deadly in terms of mortality rate, appears to be 50-70% more contagious, meaning it consumes less, is much faster and it spreads very quickly, “Walz said Wednesday.
Osterholm expects more variants to appear over time, saying “it would not be surprising if we had a variant of the United States found tomorrow.”
“We only need to pray at this time for vaccine-induced immunity, and up to this point, pre-disease immunity, to provide protection against these particular strains,” Osterholm said.