Season 1: Episode 2: New Variant
Overview: The Corona Virus Disease slaughtered a million lives across the globe. A billion dreams were filched away in just a glimpse. Remember that there were reported cases of a new variant in the beginning months of this year, but we are not even frightened by the possible chaos that might happen.
After a year of sustaining a low number of cases in the Philippines, on March 29, COVID-19 positive cases spike 10,000 in a day – increasing day by day. Are we not threatened with a more significant number of death and positive cases that will surely ravish our life as well as our economy? Are we just going to watch the numerals continually changing?
The COVID-19 new variants have mutations to the genetic code that produces the spike protein gene in the ‘cluster 5’ variant linked to Danish mink farms and the new variants identified in the United Kingdom and South Africa.
According to investigations, the variant identified in the United Kingdom, known as the B.1.1.7 variant, comprises 23 changes to the genetic code relative to the original SARS-CoV-2 virus distinguished in Wuhan, China. Specifically, how and where it originated is unclear, but it has since spread to become the dominant variant in London and South East England. It has also been distinguished in other parts of the UK and at least 31 other countries as far afield as Australia, the United States of America, and Pakistan. Introductory studies indicate that the B.1.1.7 variant is more transmissible but does not result in more severe disease or make people who have previously had COVID-19 reinfected. One of the mutations it carries can also sway the performance of some of the PCR tests used to detect COVID-19 infections – although most of the PCR tests being used around the globe are invented to detect several viral genes, so the impact of this is not thought to be significant.
The variant identified in South Africa, known as variant 501Y.V2, carries some of the same mutations as the B.1.1.7 variant but appears to have evolved separately. It also carries some different mutations. One of these, a mutation in the spike protein gene called E484K, may reduce the ability of specific antibodies from people who have recovered from COVID-19 to bind to and neutralize the virus. However, this does not necessarily mean that the immune response triggered by vaccines will be less effective – something that is currently being tested. Like the B.1.1.7 variant, it does not appear to be associated with more severe disease but may be more contagious than earlier variants. More intensive public health measures may be required to control the spread of these variants in both cases.
Even if we get the exact dosage of the vaccine, the mutations of these new variants become more robust and even worse than we were taught. According to the World Health Organization, when a virus is widely circulating in a population and causing many infections, the likelihood of the virus mutating increases. The more opportunities a virus has to spread, the more it replicates – and the more possibilities it has to change. Most viral mutations have little to no impact on the virus’s strength to cause contaminations and illness. Nevertheless, depending on where the changes are located in the virus’s genetic material, they may affect a virus’s properties, such as transmission or hardness.
Both variants have been distinguished in numerous other countries and may already be widespread. However, because many countries do not have routinely sequence coronavirus genomes from a large proportion of people who test positive, it is tricky to know how far these variants have paved – or if these variants are procuring further mutations of concern. Stepping up global examination efforts should therefore be a priority.
On the other hand, the Philippines also has its variant of the COVID-19 disease. Furthermore, it is announced that this resurgence of SARS-CoV-2 is coincident with detecting a new Philippine variant: B.1.1.28.3. First recognized in the Central Visayas region of the island nation, the variant is obtained from the Brazilian B.1.1.28 strain and yields many mutations with the P.1 variant identified in Manaus at the beginning of January. However, this variant also has many unique features to the Philippines, as the researchers analyze these unique and shared mutations and discuss their inherent impact on the virus.
According to the Department of Science and Technology- Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, a unique COVID-19 variant officially designated as Lineage “P.3” was identified in the Philippines on March 10, 2021, as stated by the Philippine Genome Center (PGC). The variant was observed from local samples in Central Visayas, accumulated on the exact dates where there was an audible increase in COVID-19 cases reported in the region.
These variations, or changes detected in P.3. are classified as E484K, N501Y, and P681H. They have been beforehand associated with known COVID-19 variants associated with possible increased transmissibility and immune escape. There is still no evidence, based on prepared data, that P.3 is more infectious than the initial version of Sars-CoV-2. However, the appearance of these three varieties suggests that it is achievable.
The mutation profile of this new virus variant warrants more solid investigation due to its inherent public health implications. Therefore, the Philippines’ current distribution of this developing variant and its transmission are controlled and addressed by relevant public health agencies to stem its area in nearby islands and regions.
In our province, at least six cases of contagious variants of SARS Cov2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
A resident of Solsona, Ilocos Norte had incurred the B.1.1.7 variant, which was first detected in the United Kingdom. In addition, three (3) patients in Laoag City, one (1) in Municipality of San Nicolas, and one (1) in Municipality of Paoay had been contaminated with the B.1.351 strain that was first detected in South Africa. The victims had been in the COVID-19 summation of the province with their respiratory samples sent to the Philippine Genome Center (PGC) in March to distinguish other coronavirus variants.
Again, let us internalize ourselves to be observant and more cautious─ now that we have different variants of the disease. Observe proper hygiene, always wear your masks and face shields and maintain social distancing. Let us not forget to be more gentle during these difficult times because not all of us are mentally stable. Keep safe, my dear Northwesternians!
