Credit: New Jersey National Guard via Flickr
What will happen next with the COVID-19 pandemic remains to be seen, but University of Minnesota infectious disease expert Dr. Michael Osterholm believes the new strain that led to a new round of strict blockages in the UK is a harbinger of things to come in America.
“What we see now in England I think will be a harbinger of things to come,” Osterholm said, noting in his weekly podcast that the virus has spread to at least 33 countries, including the United States. this will spread all over the world and we can expect to see what is happening in England happening in many other locations. ”
There are two new confirmed variants of the coronavirus, and neither has been confirmed in Minnesota, although Gov. Tim Walz said Wednesday that “it’s probably here.”
“We are looking for this option, we have the ability to do it in our public health lab,” said Jan Malcolm, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Health. “We examine it continuously.”
The one found in the United Kingdom and other parts of the world, including some US states, is known as B117. Another variant initially discovered in South Africa is known as B1351. What is extremely important is that the Centers for Disease Control has not yet found evidence to suggest that COVID-19 vaccines will not work against mutations.
And, according to Reuters, Pfizer conducted studies to see if its vaccine works against mutations and announced Thursday night that the vaccine appears to be effective against these two strains of the virus, although its study has not yet been evaluated by colleagues.
Osterholm recorded his latest podcast before this announcement, but it would be welcome news, as the mutation in South Africa concerned him in particular, after the possibilities arose that he could evade the vaccines made so far.
The CDC says the virus that moves to an extent that makes vaccines less effective would be the worst case scenario, but “there is no evidence that this is happening, and most experts believe that escape mutants are unlikely. the virus may occur due to its nature. “
Vaccine manufacturers have said they will be able to modify the vaccines to address the mutations, although it could take at least six weeks to do so.
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However, coronavirus mutations are thought to be more contagious, while the vaccination process is just beginning in the United States.
In the UK, hospitalizations have risen, raising fears that more cases in America could lead to more hospitalizations and deaths at a time when the country is already breaking daily records.
“Early indicators show that this variant, although not more deadly in terms of mortality rate, seems to be about 50-70% more contagious, which means that it takes less of it, is much faster and spreads very much. quickly, “Walz said Wednesday.
Osterholm expects more variants to appear over time, saying that “it would not be surprising if we had an American version found tomorrow”.
“We just need to pray at this time that the vaccine-induced immunity, and to this degree, the previous immunity to the disease, provides protection against these special strains,” Osterholm said.