(Newser)
– According to researchers, a new variant of coronavirus detected in northwestern France is neither more deadly nor more infectious, but what makes it worrisome is that it is much harder to detect. Officials say the new variant was found after new tests were performed on patients who had symptoms of COVID, but initially tested negative for the virus in standard PCR tests, Bloomberg reports. Blood samples taken or deep from the respiratory system confirmed that they were infected. French authorities say eight cases of the variant were confirmed in a group of 79 patients at a hospital in Brittany.
“Investigations will be conducted to determine how this variant reacts to vaccination and antibodies developed during previous COVID infections,” the regional health authority said in a statement, according to France 24. Authorities say the new variant has nine mutations in its peak protein, and they are investigating whether the changes have made detection difficult with standard tests. Currently, the infection rate in Brittany is well below the rate in and around Paris, but cases have risen in recent weeks in Brittany, Reuters reports. France says it has contacted international agencies about the new variant. (Read more stories of COVID variants.)