World coronavirus cases surpassed 100 million on Wednesday as countries fought us variant virus and a limited amount of vaccine.
Among the countries most affected are the United States, India, Brazil and Europe. More than 2.1 million people have died from COVID-19, according to information from Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Center.
At this time, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says there is no evidence that new variants of coronavirus cause more severe disease or an increased risk of death.
However, the CDC adds that scientists are still working to understand how easily new forms could spread. They also want to know if it could cause more serious illnesses or if the currently approved vaccines will protect people against them.
It was found that three of the new variants of coronavirus come from three countries: the United Kingdom, South Africa and Brazil.
B.1.1.7 the UK version
In the UK, a variant of coronavirus known as B.1.1.7 was first recognized in September 2020. It has spread rapidly in southern Britain, including London. Since then it has spread throughout Europe, the United States and Canada.
Healthcare organizations say this is spreading more easily and faster than others. But there is no evidence that it causes more severe illness or an increased risk of death.
Variant 501Y.V2 from South Africa
In South Africa, another variant called 501Y.V2 was found in early October. There have been cases caused by this variant in 20 countries, including Australia and Canada, but not in the USA
The variant is also known as B.1.351 and shares some genetic changes similar to that in the UK. Scientists are concerned that antibodies from a small number of people who have recovered from COVID-19 or received a vaccine have been less effective against this variant.
Variant P.1 from Brazil
The coronavirus variant P.1 was first identified in four passengers from Brazil who were tested at Haneda Airport outside Tokyo in January. However, the variant could have existed much earlier in Brazil and spread to many countries, including Germany and South Korea. This week, the US confirmed its first case of the Minnesota version.
The CDC says early evidence shows that antibodies to a coronavirus infection or vaccine may not have the ability to recognize variant P.1.
What causes variants?
Like other viruses, the CDC says that SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, is always changing and changing all the time. Sometimes new variants appear and disappear. At other times, new variants appear and spread in many countries.
Daniel Rhoads is a microbiologist and pathologist at the Cleveland Clinic. He said: “Although this is worrying, it is not really surprising – we watched this and expected more or less.”
Earlier in the pandemic, other variants appeared, including D614G and L452R. However, the new variants are receiving attention now, as they seem to spread more easily and faster, which can lead to more cases of COVID-19. Another concern is whether approved vaccines such as those from Pfizer and BioNTech or Moderna could be effective against them.
Caitlin Rivers is an epidemiologist at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. She told the Associated Press: “I am worried that the variants could throw us a curve.” This means that the variant could present an unexpected and difficult problem.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the US government’s leading expert on infectious diseases, said scientists are studying vaccination measures to deal with the new variants.
Moderna announced on Monday that it is testing a supplement recall its vaccine against new variants. Pfizer, which produces a similar COVID-19 vaccine, said its study shows the shot is effective against the UK variant, but questions remain about those found in South Africa and Brazil.
US drugmakers Johnson and Johnson plan to report the vaccine study next week. Late-stage trials are taking place in the United States, South Africa and Brazil. Scientists expect the results to show how well it works compared to the new variants.
What can be done?
The CDC says it is working with other public health agencies monitor situation closely and look for new variants COVID-19. It also has field workers to study and investigate new variants.
The health agency recommends that increasing public health measures, such as vaccination, physical distance, the use of cloth covers and hand washing, will help limit the spread of new variants.
On Tuesday, the United States announced a ban on travel from Europe, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Ireland and South Africa. Other countries on the shortlist include China and Iran.
In Europe, Belgium banned all non-essential travel until March. And France could soon start a third blockade if the 12-hour-a-day condition does not slow the spread of new infections.
I’m Mario Ritter, Jr. and I’m Jonathan Evans.
Hai Do wrote this report for VOA Learning English. Mario Ritter, Jr. was the editor.
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Words in this story
alternative –N. something that is different in some small ways from others of the same kind
recall –N. an additional amount of medicine or vaccine that increases disease resistance
monitor –V. to follow or observe carefully in time, for a special purpose
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