New COVID Strain Identified in UK

In the United Kingdom (UK), a new variant strain of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus, has been detected and it’s predicted that this new variant to potentially be more rapidly transmissible than other circulating strains of SARS-CoV-2.

“A new variant strain of SARS-CoV-2 that contains a series of mutations has been described in the United Kingdom (UK) and become highly prevalent in London and southeast England. Based on these mutations, this variant strain has been predicted to potentially be more rapidly transmissible than other circulating strains of SARS-CoV-2.”

– Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Name of New COVID Variant

The new variant  in the UK is referred to as the “SARS-CoV-2 VOC 202012/01” (i.e., the first variant of concern from 2020, December), or “B.1.1.7.”

Furthermore, according to WHO, the new variant was picked up as part of an epidemiological and virological investigation initiated earlier in December 2020 following an unexpected rise in coronavirus cases in South East England.

And, a total of 1108 cases infected with SARS-CoV-2 VUI 202012/01 have been detected in the UK as of December 13, 2020.

Also, here are UK preliminary reports about the new variant:

• The new variant is more transmissible than previous circulating viruses, with an estimated increase of between 40% and 70% in transmissibility.
• Laboratory studies are ongoing to determine whether these variant viruses have different biological properties or alter vaccine efficacy.
• There is not enough information at present to determine if this variant is associated with any change in the severity of the clinical disease, antibody response, or vaccine efficacy.

The following are more details of the new variant according to the CDC:

• Although a variant may predominate in a geographic area it does not mean that the variant is more infectious.
• Scientists are working to learn more about this variant to better understand how :
  • Easily it might be transmitted
  • Whether currently authorized vaccines will protect people against it
• There is no evidence that this variant causes more severe illness or increased risk of death as of now.

Mutations

It was stated by CDC that VOC 202012/01 has 14 non-synonymous (amino acid [AA] altering) mutations, 6 synonymous (non-AA altering), and 3 deletions.

It was added by CDC,  the said “variant has a mutation in the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein at position 501, where amino acid asparagine (N) has been replaced with tyrosine (Y). The shorthand for this mutation is N501Y, sometimes noted as S:N501Y to specify that it is in the spike protein.”

Furthermore, the variant carries many other mutations, including the following:

• 69/70 deletion
  • This double deletion has occurred spontaneously many times and likely leads to a change in the shape of (i.e., a conformational change in) the spike protein.
• P681H:
  • Near the S1/S2 furin cleavage site, a site with high variability in coronaviruses. This mutation has also emerged spontaneously multiple times.
• ORF8 stop codon (Q27stop):
  • This mutation is not in the spike protein but in a different gene (in open reading frame 8), the function of which is unknown.
  • Similar mutations have occurred in the pasta and in Singapore, one strain with this type of mutation emerged and disappeared.

The following are the potential consequences of the said mutations:

• Ability to spread more quickly in humans.
• Ability to cause either milder or more severe disease in humans.
• Ability to evade detection by specific diagnostic tests.
• Decreased susceptibility to therapeutic agents such as monoclonal antibodies.
• Ability to evade vaccine-induced immunity.

Authorities in the UK has announced on December 19 that affected areas would be subject to Tier 4 restrictions  which include the following:

• Reduced social gatherings
• Tighter movement restrictions
• Requests to work from home wherever possible
• Closures of non-essential businesses.

In addition, it was stated by WHO that the new VUI-202012/01 variant has been identified in several countries which include:

• Australia
• Denmark
• Italy
• Iceland
• Netherlands

WHO Advice

Here are reminders from WHO to reduce the general risk of transmission of acute respiratory infections:

• Avoiding close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections.
• Frequent hand-washing, especially after direct contact with ill people or their environment.
• People with symptoms of acute respiratory infection should practice cough etiquette (maintain distance, cover coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or clothing, and wash hands).
• Within healthcare facilities, enhance standard infection prevention and control practices in hospitals, especially in emergency departments.
• Wearing masks where appropriate and ensuring good ventilation.

All UK Flights to PH Suspended Starting Tomorrow

Today, December 23, 2020, it was announced through the official Facebook page of the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson that all United Kindom (UK) flights to the Philippines will be temporarily suspended starting tomorrow, December 24, 2020 (Thursday).

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Source: WHO, CDC