CORONAVIRUS The world is haunted by a new variant: Will PCR tests detect its presence? Scientists have found the answer – Topky.sk

A new variant was discovered by scientists in the Republic of South Africa on Tuesday in samples from November 14 to 16. On Wednesday, experts sequenced other genomes and informed the local government that they were concerned about their findings.

Scientists are concerned about the new variant

Variant B.1.1.529 has, according to the South African bioinformatics Tulia de Oliveira, a “very unusual constellation of mutations”. Only on the so-called The spike protein has more than 30. A new variant has ten mutations on the ACE2 receptor, a protein that helps create a coronavirus entry point to infect human cells. “Just for comparison, the beta variant has three and the delta variant has only two mutations,” de Oliveira told The New York Times (NYT).

“All of these things worry us. This variant could not only have increased portability, so it could spread more efficiently, but it could also be able to bypass parts of the immune system.” said another South African scientist, Richard Lessells.

The World Health Organization has again recommended that people take measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19, including wearing robes, increased hand hygiene and physical separation. In addition, the WHO recalls the need for better indoor ventilation and congestion. Last but not least, the organization recommended vaccination with approved vaccines.