The more widespread of the coronavirus variants was first identified in the
The other variant was discovered in
Experts are still learning about these COVID-19 variants, but researchers believe both are more contagious.
How much more contagious are the new COVID-19 strains
Both variants appear to have become the main strain in the regions where they originated, which demonstrates how easily they are spread.
'Most of the evidence comes from the
Why are the new strains of COVID-19 more contagious
The
'Those mutations change the shape of the spike protein. That helps the virus bind more strongly to our cells,' Blumberg said.
In addition, the variant appears to get inside our cells more easily.
'It binds better, gets inside better and multiplies better, so someone infected will have a higher concentration of the coronavirus,' Blumberg said. 'The higher concentration is another reason why people with the new strain are more contagious. If you're a virus, it's a better design for surviving and spreading.'
Are the new COVID-19 variants more deadly Do they make people sicker
'There is no evidence that the new strains have any new symptoms or make people sicker,' Blumberg said. 'The case fatality rate won't change, but if more people get sick because it's more contagious, more people will die.'
In addition, more cases mean more people will be hospitalized, hospitals will be under greater pressure, and in some regions, people with other serious illnesses and injuries will suffer, too.
'That won't happen at
Are the vaccines effective against the new COVID-19 variants
And experts believe the
'Like with other vaccines, we don't have just one antibody that forms, we have multiple and different antibodies,' Blumberg said. 'The spike protein is a complicated protein. The antibodies attack the spike protein in several areas, so if one part changes, there are other areas we can have an immune response against.'
He said antibodies from people previously infected with other COVID-19 strains appear to have neutralized the new variants effectively.
'It doesn't appear that they'll be evading the vaccine-induced immunity,' Blumberg said.
In addition,
'It's the nature of the platform they developed,' Blumberg said. 'It's like a plug and play system. They could easily update these vaccines. It's even easier than updating a flu vaccine.'
Will the vaccines work on all new strains
There is more concern about the variant that originated in
'That is the strain we're more worried about,' Blumberg said. 'The hope is that if the vaccine doesn't match perfectly, it will still provide partial protection (which would be similar to some seasons of the flu vaccine). That means some people may be protected and others
Is treatment any different for the new COVID-19 strains
Generally, doctors have had the same success treating patients with any of the variants.
'The new strains do not appear to be inherently resistant to remdesivir or any of the effective treatments,' Blumberg said.
Can tests detect if someone with one of the new variants is COVID-19 positive
Most high-quality PCR tests can give patients a yes or no answer about whether they are COVID-19 positive with all strains so far, but they can't distinguish what strain a patient has.
'All of the tests currently offered at
Experts are hopeful high-quality antigen tests - which are often used for rapid testing - can also tell whether a patient is positive for COVID 19 with the new variants. Because there is a range of quality among antigen tests, it may depend on the test.
Read more about the COVID-19 variants and testing from UC Davis Health Pathology and Laboratory Medicine experts.
How widespread are the new variants in the
That is uncertain. The
'We have reports of it in a few states, including
The
'We need to know what's here,' Blumberg said. 'If we start looking for it, we'll likely find it.'
Does this mean COVID-19 precautions like masking, social distancing and washing your hands are even more important
'Everything we do to prevent the spread of COVID-19 now will slow the new variant,' Blumberg said.
And slowing any variant of COVID-19 means reducing the likelihood of other, hard-to-fight variants developing.
'That's yet another reason why we have to practice all the cautions,' he said. 'And it's why everyone should get vaccinated as soon as it's available to them. We don't want to give the virus more chances to mutate inside us. The faster we stamp out the pandemic, the less we have to worry about new mutations.'
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