Health Brazil: A new variant of coronavirus that combines 18 mutations has been detected

[tom_mai78101]

A new variant of coronavirus that combines 18 mutations has been detected as one of the world's worst-hit countries exceeds 4,000 deaths in a single 24-hour period.

Brazil surpassed the grim milestone this week as news broke of the new strain, which scientists believe has both similar and different characteristics to existing variants in Brazil, news site AA reported.

Virologist Renato Santana, from the Federal University of Minas Gerais, said the new variant included genes modified in Brazilian city Manaus, as well as the highly-infectious British and South African variants.

It was too early to identify whether the new variant posed any additional threats like being more transmissible or deadly, according to Mr Santana.

'Evolving': New variant discovered in Covid-ravaged country - Yahoo Sport

The strain features characteristics of the highly infectious South African variant.

au.sports.yahoo.com

 

[The Helper]

Everyone still wears masks around here but they are not mandated anymore. Some people don't wear them but I rarely see anyone without a mask. I keep 6 feet away from everyone. Most everyone else does too. Texas is fine. Our cases are not rising and look at Michigan where they have been under lock down since it began and there cases are way up

Michigan becomes COVID epicenter as cases skyrocket

There is an alarming number of COVID-19 cases in Michigan and the state's officials are begging for help. Mola Lenghi has the latest.

www.cbsnews.com

Nothing is open in Michigan they have been under a huge lockdown since all this started... Why?

 

[tom_mai78101]

Nothing is open in Michigan they have been under a huge lockdown since all this started... Why?

It's possible a new double-variant type of COVID-19 is in Michigan.


Double mutant COVID-19 variant makes its way to the US, calling into question vaccine effectiveness

The double mutant variant that originated in India, has been identified in California and medical experts say this strain could be dangerous.

As COVID-19 cases have begun to drop in the area, there is a concern if the double mutant variant makes its way to Chattanooga, the vaccine could be ineffective.

"It's possible through natural selection, and variation that you could get a variant of COVID-19 that would not respond to the vaccine,” said Dr. Jay Sizemore, an Infectious Disease Specialist at Erlanger.

Currently, vaccines have been made to target the spiked protein of the virus, allowing the immune systems to create antibodies.

Researchers claim evidence shows the double mutant strain could change its spiked protein, which is what would cause the vaccines to not work as effectively.

"It certainly shouldn't dissuade anyone from being vaccinated, actually it should accelerate our community's urgency to be vaccinated,’ said Dr. Sizemore.

Experts contend the quicker people get vaccinated, the fewer opportunities COVID-19 could mutate further.

Double mutant COVID-19 variant makes its way to the US, calling into question vaccine effectiveness

As COVID cases have begun to drop in the area, there is a concern if the double mutant variant makes its way to Chattanooga, the vaccine could be ineffective.

www.local3news.com