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Original poster

New COVID Variant in South-East

181 replies

umpteennamechanges · 14/12/2020 15:58

Just seen the breaking news about the new COVID variant in the South East.

Seems to be nothing to worry about on the face of it...but wondering if anyone has / knows of any more info?

OP posts:
MrsTerryPratchett · 14/12/2020 16:00

Link please?

RugsEverywhere · 14/12/2020 16:01

It's on bbc news right now

AxMan76 · 14/12/2020 16:01

Turn the TV on

lunar1 · 14/12/2020 16:01

It's just braking news now, no further information. Please let this not be a huge problem.

Chambored · 14/12/2020 16:02

'New variant' of coronavirus identified - Hancock www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-55308211

MrsTerryPratchett · 14/12/2020 16:02

Just asking!

scaevola · 14/12/2020 16:02

This might not be it (didn't watch the press coverage nference) but is useful background reading

There are several strains, and this has been recognised for quite some time

www.ft.com/content/2782655a-0441-4d38-bb03-5c4e67ead110

ForBlueSkies · 14/12/2020 16:03

New virus variant 'highly unlikely' to pose risk to vaccine: Hancock
It is "highly unlikely" that the new coronavirus variant will cause a more serious disease or compromise the vaccine, Matt Hancock has said

Matt Hancock said: "I must stress at this point that there is currently nothing to suggest that this variant is more likely to cause serious disease and the latest clinical advice is that it's highly unlikely that this mutation would fail to respond to a vaccine, but it shows we've got to be vigilant and follow the rules and everyone needs to take personal responsibility not to spread this virus."

He added: "I need to tell the House that over the last week, we've seen very sharp, exponential rises in the virus across London, Kent, parts of Essex and Hertfordshire.

"We do not know the extent to which this is because of the new variant but no matter its cause we have to take swift and decisive action which unfortunately is absolutely essential to control this deadly disease while the vaccine is rolled out."

www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/science-and-disease/coronavirus-news-pfizer-oxford-vaccine-london-covid-tiers-cases/

slidingdrawers · 14/12/2020 16:03

Just seen this. Apparently faster spreading too as compared with other variants. This really is the gift which keeps on giving.

Blue565 · 14/12/2020 16:03

Bizarrely from what I've read in the past about viruses, the ones that spread faster tend to be ones that show symptoms quicker. This in turn may in the longer term be an advantageous development for us in our fight against it.

Other than that, I don't think there is much more info in the public eye yet. It is somewhat unlikely the virus will have mutated sufficiently to be able to dodge the vaccine but nothing is impossible.

StealthPolarBear · 14/12/2020 16:03

Interesting.

StealthPolarBear · 14/12/2020 16:05

Useful timing

bathsh3ba · 14/12/2020 16:07

How can they know that it will respond to the vaccine when they haven't had time to test that? We are all just shuffling along in the dark and hoping for the best, aren't we?!

Blue565 · 14/12/2020 16:09

@bathsh3ba

How can they know that it will respond to the vaccine when they haven't had time to test that? We are all just shuffling along in the dark and hoping for the best, aren't we?!
Most likely based on studies of other coronaviruses and viruses in general.

Viruses will always mutate - either minor ones to help it spread but otherwise remaining the same or huge evolutions over time like Bird Flu vs Swine Flu (both flu, but very different).

The former would still be caught potentially, the latter not so much (like yearly Flu)

biologicalhazard · 14/12/2020 16:10

Forgive me for not being reassured by the Gov. At the beginning of all this, they stated that the risk to the UK from the new coronavirus was very low! Hmm when even a blind man could see where an out of control new virus was going, yeah just look where we are nowHmm

Original poster
umpteennamechanges · 14/12/2020 16:10

@bathsh3ba

How can they know that it will respond to the vaccine when they haven't had time to test that? We are all just shuffling along in the dark and hoping for the best, aren't we?!

They can map the various strains in terms of their genetics and will be able to see that the variant is (presumably) genetically very similar and so will be highly likely to respond to the vaccine in the same way.

There are already 30+ variants of COVID 19.

It's highly unlikely to be anything to worry about.

OP posts:
PurpleDaisies · 14/12/2020 16:10

@bathsh3ba

How can they know that it will respond to the vaccine when they haven't had time to test that? We are all just shuffling along in the dark and hoping for the best, aren't we?!
They will have looked at which parts of the virus have mutated. The vaccines target the spike protein. If that hasn’t changed, the vaccines won’t be affected.
FromTheAshes · 14/12/2020 16:11

Covid rates rising rapidly in the North: you naughty northerners, you're going to have to go into timeout.

Covid rates rising rapidly in London: its a new variant (that has also been identified in 60 other local authorities and has been seen in other countries for a few months now). Really sorry that we have to impose more restrictions, we'll get you out as soon as possible.

Original poster
umpteennamechanges · 14/12/2020 16:11

Link for 30+ strains: www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.news-medical.net/amp/news/20200422/Coronavirus-has-mutated-into-at-least-30-strains.aspx

This thread wasn't to worry anyone - it's highly unlikely to be a problem I just wondered if anyone knew anything more.

OP posts:
Circumlocutious · 14/12/2020 16:16

Another reason to stamp covid out and not let it just move its way through the population. Most strains are benign, but if it mutates dangerously (e.g. in intensive animal farms) we could be screwed.

Keepdistance · 14/12/2020 16:22

Hopefully it's not people getting it a second time

UnseenDoreen · 14/12/2020 16:26

@FromTheAshes

Covid rates rising rapidly in the North: you naughty northerners, you're going to have to go into timeout.

Covid rates rising rapidly in London: its a new variant (that has also been identified in 60 other local authorities and has been seen in other countries for a few months now). Really sorry that we have to impose more restrictions, we'll get you out as soon as possible.

And we will put the rest of the country back into harsh lockdown for the hell of it. Can just see it.
SchadenfreudePersonified · 14/12/2020 16:26

@biologicalhazard

Forgive me for not being reassured by the Gov. At the beginning of all this, they stated that the risk to the UK from the new coronavirus was very low! Hmm when even a blind man could see where an out of control new virus was going, yeah just look where we are nowHmm
Same here.

They lie through their teeth about anything and everything, move the goalposts to suit themselves and then put the blame for the spread onto the population. They claim to be "following the science" but blatantly ignore everything the virologists recommend.

And then they relax the rules over Christmas. Why?

MercyBooth · 14/12/2020 16:26

Im sure they will publish the data on this...........right?

UnseenDoreen · 14/12/2020 16:26

@Circumlocutious

Another reason to stamp covid out and not let it just move its way through the population. Most strains are benign, but if it mutates dangerously (e.g. in intensive animal farms) we could be screwed.
We are not going to stamp out covid. That ship has long sailed.
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