Experts are concerned about the new variant of the coronavirus that we have been dealing with since the end of 2019. While the number of cases currently identified is small, less than 100 people , according to local researchers, have a large number of concerning mutations that could allowing the virus to avoid vaccines and cause new waves of disease.
Until now, our vaccines have remained more or less strong against the different variants such as Alpha or Delta . That’s because mutations in the spike protein, the part of the virus that binds to a human cell, leading to infection, haven’t been dramatic enough to outwit the vaccine-trained antibodies that we have today.
But the mutation profile of this new variant is staggering, “terrible” according to virologists. And it could be very contagious. It has two mutations combined that make it even more contagious. These mutations could help you evade the body’s immune response.
For now, the new coronavirus lineage has been designated as B.1.1.529 and will feature a Greek name very soon.
The variant was first detected in Botswana on November 11 , where three cases have now been sequenced and the oldest case from South Africa was recorded three days later.
According to the naming system used by the World Health Organization, the variant will be identified as “nu”.
The European Commission has recommended suspending flights to South Africa and other destinations in the area and several European countries have already suspended all connections, including Germany and Italy.
