There are confirmed new strains of COVID-19. Over 80 million people will travel during the Christmas holiday season. You need to be aware that that there are new stands of COVID-19 on the rise in the UK and South Africa. According to one of the scientist that helped to identify the mutation, Tulio De Oliveira, director of Kwazulu- Natal Research Innovation & Sequencing Platform, the two COVID mutations are very different.
The spread of the UK strand in London is approximately 60% of the cases. The new strand is called the UK strand. The UK strand is more contagious than the regular COVID-19 virus. Having said that, it has been calculated that the UK strand is 70 % more contagious than the regular covid-19. The UK and South Africa strands of COVID-19 might not cause more serious symptoms, but we don’t know this for sure. By the way, the flu vaccine will not affect the results of the COVID testings.
Can Mutations be Prevented?
It is common for viruses to mutate. For example, the flu mutates and vaccines are developed seasonal to prevent the flu virus. Currently, there are two new vaccines that have been approved for emergency use. The most concerning problem is that we don’t know if the two new vaccines will be able to protect you against these two strands. Vaccines might not be effective, but for the most part, it is assumed that they will work against the new strands.
The COVID vaccine might work to protect you between three months to three years; so far we don’t have enough research to answer the question of how long the COVID-19 vaccine will last. A mutation may not affect the way the virus is transmitted. The UK strain or variant is not different in terms of illness.
You should also know that there is a third strand from South African. The South African mutation might be more serious in children than the UK and original strand. Denmark, Nederlands and Austria have seen the UK strain. The South African mutation is probably not here in the United States. However, international travel has not shut down, and might not shut down for some time. Therefore, it may be plausible to suspect that the new stands are in the United States or will be here soon.
South African mutation survives and reproduces more reliable than the initial COVID-19. This means that it is likely more contagious. It is thought that this mutation is deadly. The minster of health for South Africa says that “young previously healthy people are becoming ill.” The increase in cases are likely the new variant in South Africa.
