Since health authorities have begun sequencing positive COVID-19 cases more carefully, that is, by genetically examining test results, they have also found more and more mutations.
Most of these mutations are negligible. But there are some variants that concern researchers and officials, in part because they are more contagious and because existing vaccines may be less effective in protecting them.
There is no longer freedom of movement. Some countries are trying to curb the spread of mutations by closing borders.
In addition to the variants identified in Britain, South Africa, and Brazil, there are two other variants of concern in the United States that appear to have evolved.
Fast diffusion
In November, researchers first noticed a mutation in New York City called B.1.526. Since then, this variant has spread rapidly to the metropolis and throughout the state. By mid-February, it had been detected in 12% of all New York samples that had a gene sequence.
This variant has also appeared in other countries such as Denmark.
The California variant, CAL.20, is thought 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 approximately a quarter of the sequenced gene samples in California.
What do we know about the two US variants?
At the moment, we do not have exhaustive reliable data on these variants. The California variant, CAL.20C, is said to be more contagious than the original SARS-CoV-2 virus. In swabs taken from infected individuals, the viral load of the samples was found to almost 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 thought to be slightly less effective against the California virus variant, but are still sufficient to protect patients from a severe course of COVID-19.
The New York virus variant, 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 to 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 effective enough against this variant.
The new software helps with the 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 has a length of 29,903 nucleotides, which is too long to quickly identify which variants could make it more infectious among the 611,000 genomes now stored at the base. of GISAID data. .
The mutations were found using new software called the Variant Database (VDB) developed at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, by a team led by Pamela Bjorkman. It focuses on changes in ear protein.
A mutation called E484K has been found in both the South African and Brazilian variants.
The potentially dangerous E484K mutation, present in B.1.351 and P.1, alters the spike protein receptor binding domain, and this is where they attack antibodies with the strongest neutralizing effect.
A cause for concern, but not panic
The tip of the ear protein is also altered in the New York variant. Understandably, this has caused some concern, Columbia University epidemiologist Wafaa El-Sadr told German public broadcaster ARD. “These changes may cause the spike protein to adhere better. Either the virus may reproduce more quickly. Or they may not be able to fight the antibodies through our vaccines,” he said.
But until there is detailed and robust data on U.S. variants, those observations remain speculative and there is no need to panic, said Dave Chokshi, commissioner of the New York City Department of Mental Health and Hygiene. So far, there is no evidence to show that it spreads faster, either to make people get sicker or to reduce the effectiveness of the vaccine, he said.
This article has been translated from German.
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Non-essential travel restrictions in Europe: country by country
Finland
The Finnish government has extended until at least March 18 stricter regulations for those entering the country. All travelers will be required to take a coronavirus test at the border. Finland restricts entry to all Schengen countries, where it is allowed to travel without border control, and only allows travel essentially to work for services such as health care and emergency services.
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Non-essential travel restrictions in Europe: country by country
Sweden
Travelers from most EU countries and people traveling from non-EU countries who are exempt from the EU entry ban must show a negative COVID-19 test no later than 48 hours upon arrival or be sections. The new rules went into effect on February 6th. Entry into Sweden from the United Kingdom, Denmark and Norway is prohibited, apart from Swedish citizens and people living or working in Sweden.
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Non-essential travel restrictions 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, not more than 24 hours old, will be allowed to enter the country. The closure of Denmark has been extended until 28 February. Restaurants, cafes and pubs, as well as cultural and leisure facilities, remain closed.
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Non-essential travel restrictions in Europe: country by country
Swiss
Switzerland’s border with its neighbors, the countries of the Schengen area and most of Europe is open. Arrivals of some nations and regions that are classified as “high risk” due to their infection rate must be quarantined for 10 days upon 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 everyday products.
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Non-essential travel restrictions in Europe: country by country
Luxembourg
Travelers from EU countries and the Schengen area can enter Luxembourg without the need to present a negative COVID-19 test unless they arrive by plane; from January 29 a negative proof must be shown on boarding. Non-essential travel from 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 23:00.
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Non-essential travel restrictions in Europe: country by country
Czech Republic
As the coronavirus spreads rapidly in the Czech Republic, the government has extended the state of emergency until 28 February. The Czech government has sealed three border areas and there are border controls. As of February 25, the use of FFP2 or surgical masks in public areas is mandatory nationwide.
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Non-essential travel restrictions in Europe: country by country
Norway
Norway closed its borders until the end of February on all but essential trips to prevent the spread of coronavirus variants. Apart from returning Norwegian residents, only “socially critical staff” are exempt from this entry rule. Of these, anyone arriving from a high-risk red region should have a negative Covid-19 test result. It also takes forty to ten days.
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Non-essential travel restrictions in Europe: country by country
Poland
Travelers from non-EU countries can only enter Poland for essential trips. The borders are open to travelers from most of the EU. All arrivals in Poland must be isolated by themselves for 10 days, with some exceptions related to work or residence in Poland. Now, the country also allows travelers to enter with a COVID-19 vaccination certificate without having to quarantine them.
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Non-essential travel restrictions in Europe: country by country
Turkey
All travelers aged 6 and over will be required to show a negative PCR test result before entering Turkey and may be subject to health tests upon arrival. Turkey has currently banned flights from the UK due to the new COVID-19 variant. Shopping malls, markets, restaurants and hairdressers are open from 10am to 8pm all week.
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Non-essential travel restrictions in Europe: country by country
Croatia
On November 30, new measures were introduced that temporarily restricted the border crossing. However, some exceptions have been established. Croatia follows a traffic light system to restrict travel and anyone coming from an EU country on the “green list” can enter the country without restrictions. As long as they do not show symptoms and have not been near an infected person.
Author: Susan Bonney-Cox
