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  • The New Covid-19 Viral Strain; What We Need To Know – Mr Arthur-Mensah & Dr Mrs Abigail Kyei

The New Covid-19 Viral Strain; What We Need To Know – Mr Arthur-Mensah & Dr Mrs Abigail Kyei

  • Posted by pentvars
  • Categories Health Education, News, Nursing
  • Date Jan 6, 2021
  • Comments 43 comments

Mr Reginald Arthur-Mensah Jnr (Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Pentecost University)

Dr Mrs Abigail Kyei (Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Pentecost University)

 

Introduction

A new strain of the SARS-COV2, the virus causing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, of the coronavirus family, threatens to further overburden the already overwhelmed health care facilities and systems across the globe. The new strain is the SARS-COV2 VUI 202012/01 or B.1.1.7. The strain was first detected in September 2020, in southeastern England and has since accounted for about 60% of cases in the country.

 

Features of the new strain of the virus

The new strain has several genetic mutations especially on its “spike proteins” on the viral cell surface which it uses to attach to the human host cells (see Figure 1 and 2). Thus, this makes the new strain attach to the human host cells more readily and efficiently making it easier for the virus to enter into the host cells to cause disease. It is estimated that these mutations can make the virus up to 70% more transmissible. However, there is no evidence that it is linked to a higher risk of hospital admissions or deaths. At least, 17 mutations in the spike proteins have been identified but mutation G614 is of urgent concern. (see Figure 2).

 

Figure 1: Viral spike protein binding of SARS-COV2 and ACE2 receptor of the human host cell. Source: www.webmd.com

 

 

Figure 2: Mutated spike proteins of SARS-COV2 virus In the mutated virus, the genetic instructions for just one of those amino acids – number 614 switched from a “D” (short for aspartic acid) variant to a “G” (short for glycine). Source: www.webmd.com

 

Countries the new stain has been detected

The new strain has been detected in about 33 countries including; Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

In Africa, South Africa also identified a strain similar to the B.1.1.7 in October. The strain is B.1.351. It appears to spread more easily and quickly but it is not more severe. Another variant has recently been detected in Nigeria, but there is no evidence of easy transmissibility and higher virulence.

 

The new strain and the COVID-19 vaccines

Current evidence suggests that most mutations of the new strain are on the viral spike proteins as earlier mentioned. It is these spike proteins the COVID-19 vaccines target. The vaccines are expected to elicit antibody reactions against many parts of the viral spike proteins; hence, it is unlikely that a single new mutation in the virus will make the vaccine less effective.

 

What to expect

The virus that causes COVID-19 will keep changing. That is what simply happens to microorganisms as they continue their infectivity in human populations. The scientific community continues to sample positive cases for new strains of the virus. However, it is unlikely to predict how the viral mutations might affect the pathophysiology of the disease until large data are analyzed.

 

Preventive measures against the new strain

The preventive measures against this new strain follow the precautionary and preventive measures against the original strain. They include;

  1. The regular washing of hands with soap under running water.
  2. The intermittent sanitizing of the hands with an alcohol-based hand rub.
  3. Avoidance of touching the T zone of the face as well as the eyes, nose and mouth.
  4. Wearing of face protection e.g., nose masks, face shields at all times.
  5. Practising physical distancing and staying away from crowds and large groups of people.
  6. Refraining from smoking and other activities that weaken the lungs.
  7. Staying home if one feels unwell.

 

This new strain may be more infective, but it still relies on humans to spread it. Let us stop the spread of the virus by adhering to all the precautionary measures stated above. Let us all endeavour to stay safe. As of January 3, 2021, over 85 million people have been infected with the virus, 48 million people have recovered from the disease with about 1.8 million deaths worldwide (WHO, COVID-19, 2021)

 

References

Strains of Coronavirus. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/lung/coronavirus-strains. (Accessed January 2, 2021).

WHO Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Dashboard. Retrieved from https://covid19.who.int. (Accessed January 3, 2021).

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    43 Comments

  1. Addai Emmanuel Kyere
    Jan 6, 2021

    Very educative

  2. Regina Reegith Boateng
    Jan 6, 2021

    Thanks for alerting me on the new strain ,it is very educative.

  3. Bosheba David
    Jan 6, 2021

    Thanks alot for the education. I really enjoy reading articles from this institution especially the article written by Mr. Reginald and Dr. Abigail.

  4. Anonymous
    Jan 6, 2021

    Thank you for the knowledge

  5. Genevieve Paintsil
    Jan 6, 2021

    Good job and thanks for sharing

  6. Emmanuel Asare
    Jan 6, 2021

    This was very educative. God bless you.

  7. Anonymous
    Jan 6, 2021

    Very educative.Thanks for the knowledge.

  8. Stephen
    Jan 6, 2021

    Very educative

  9. Anonymous
    Jan 6, 2021

    Thanks! Very educative .

  10. kwaku Kwarteng
    Jan 6, 2021

    This is eye opening!

  11. Charity Sarkodie
    Jan 6, 2021

    Very informative! Great work Mr Arthur-Mensah and Dr Kyei. Thank you

  12. Mary Tawiah Lamptey
    Jan 6, 2021

    Thanks for creating the awareness.
    Very educative.

  13. Kopoanya Narter Theophilus
    Jan 7, 2021

    Eeeiií another one again so Where is this world going now.

  14. Anonymous
    Jan 7, 2021

    Very educative sir, thank you very much

  15. Alifoe Kafui Gladys
    Jan 7, 2021

    Very educative sir, well appreciated

  16. Sarah Boafo
    Jan 7, 2021

    Well done
    This information is very helpful

  17. Augustina Osei
    Jan 7, 2021

    Very educative, and thanks for sharing

  18. Dickson Teye
    Jan 8, 2021

    Woww.. that’s a great one,
    Thanks for sharing.

  19. Gladys Ayim
    Jan 8, 2021

    Wow….very educative, I really enjoyed it, good job!

  20. Gyetuah Jephthah Kofi
    Jan 8, 2021

    This is so amazing
    Keep going

  21. Dominic Sefah Donkor
    Jan 8, 2021

    Thank you for education. It will help us to aware of the current situation as far Covid is concerned and be particular about the preventive measures. God bless you

  22. Doreen Sarpong
    Jan 8, 2021

    This is very insightful… thanks a lot for the education.

  23. Maud Serwaa Addae
    Jan 8, 2021

    Very educative ……. Really boost my knowledge
    Thank you so much

  24. Boadu Brafi Emmanuel
    Jan 8, 2021

    Thanks very much for this health education on the New Covid 19 viral strain. Its very educative and a must read article.

  25. Bismark
    Jan 8, 2021

    Very educative and helpful. Will be counting on your researches for more updates.

  26. David Yankah
    Jan 8, 2021

    Very insightful,i hope to see more articles soon

  27. Evelyn
    Jan 8, 2021

    Very educative 💥
    I’ve really enjoyed it. It has really helped me 😊

  28. Afia Nyantakyiwaa Amoah
    Jan 8, 2021

    A must read article thanks for the information.

  29. Anonymous
    Jan 8, 2021

    Completely brilliant one there. Thank you very much

  30. Anonymous
    Jan 8, 2021

    Well done sir, God bless you for the efforts taken to create awareness . This is really an eye opener.

  31. Anonymous
    Jan 8, 2021

    Very educative article…thank you for educating us

  32. Derrick Donkor
    Jan 8, 2021

    Thanks for the information

  33. Constance Olekie
    Jan 8, 2021

    Woow , it is an eye opener .
    Thanks.

  34. Fedieley Joshua
    Jan 9, 2021

    Very important information on time. This is a very hard work done. Well appreciated and God bless you. Looking forward for more.

  35. Anonymous
    Jan 9, 2021

    Very educative

  36. Ernestina Sackey
    Jan 9, 2021

    Very educative. Thanks .

  37. Henrietta S Babe
    Jan 12, 2021

    Kudos sir well done and it up. Serious microbiology lecturer ✌✌✌✌

  38. Juliet
    Jan 13, 2021

    Sir Sir
    You’re doing very well with your educative write-up to the world.
    I hope students of the university read it. Atleast, you have made it simple for us to get this knowledge right on our website. Frankly, we have heard of the new strain but i do not think any of us have bothered to learn on it.
    Thank you sir.
    God will bless you.

  39. Juliet
    Jan 13, 2021

    Thank you very much sir!
    Most of us will not get to know this if you hadn’t written it.
    God bless you.

  40. film izle
    Nov 30, 2021

    Wow, great blog article. Thanks Again. Keep writing. Thurman Gonchoff

  41. https://cuocsongquanhta.webflow.io/posts/kem-chong-lao-hoa
    Aug 30, 2022

    What a material of un-ambiguity and preserveness of
    precious knowledge concerning unpredicted emotions.

  42. film
    Sep 10, 2022

    I am so grateful for your post. Thanks Again. Really Great. Hank Cumens

  43. filmi izle
    Sep 10, 2022

    I have been checking out a few of your articles and i must say clever stuff. I will surely bookmark your site. Frederic Pons

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