A rescuer collects Covid-19 test kits during a door-to-door mass testing operation in Maidstone, UK, on Tuesday, February 2, 2021.
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LONDON – The UK is trying to stem the spread of additional mutations of the coronavirus, with the more troubling variant first discovered in South Africa popping up spontaneously in various parts of the country.
UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the country had to “crack down” on the South African variant after 105 cases were reported, 11 of which were unrelated to international travel.
As such, the UK launched an improved testing program for about 80,000 people living in areas where pockets of cases with the mutation have been found. Tests are provided door to door and positive cases are then reviewed to see if they are caused by the South African variant.
People in those areas have been told to consider limiting the time they spend outdoors, as health authorities work to prevent the spread of yet another more contagious variety. One mutation, now known as the “British Mutation”, has already become the dominant species in many parts of the country.
At the beginning of the week, Public Health England released another technical briefing warning that a handful of cases of coronavirus of the variant first found in the UK had actually been further mutated with the E484K mutation, first was seen in South Africa variant.
Mutations of any virus are normal; viruses are constantly mutating. But experts and policymakers are concerned about mutations that could cause the virus to spread much faster.
The South African variant was further concerned about experts concerned that the coronavirus vaccines developed over the past year may not be as effective against it; there were also concerns that the South African variant could evade antibodies.
Vaccine manufacturers have said there is little evidence to show that their injections will not be effective against new variants, saying they should be able to adapt their vaccines to new variants within weeks if necessary.
On Wednesday, British pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline and German biotech company CureVac announced a € 150 million ($ 180 million) deal to develop Covid vaccines targeting several variants in one product. The partners hope to launch such vaccines in 2022.
The UK’s vaccination program continues to gain momentum and is on track to vaccinate the four main priority groups (over-70s, residents and staff in retirement homes, primary care and social workers and the clinically extremely vulnerable), approximately 15 million. people, mid-February.
By February 1, more than 9.6 million people had received a first dose of the vaccine and just under 500,000 had received two doses, according to government data.