Topline
Scientists from the Ohio State University said Wednesday they have found two new coronavirus mutations they believe have roots in the U.S., one of which they say is likely more infectious than previously existing strains, a worrying prospect as the U.S. outbreak continues to break records with rising numbers of new cases.
Healthcare workers administer free Covid-19 tests to patients in cars in the parking lot of the ... [+]
Key Facts
Using genome sequencing of coronavirus patients, scientists at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center say they have identified a patient in Ohio that became infected with a coronavirus strain with an identical mutation to the variant first identified in the U.K.—however, researchers believe it developed from a strain already present in the United States.
The team also identified another new coronavirus strain they say developed three gene mutations—previously unseen together—that quickly became the most widespread variant present in Columbus in just a three-week span, they wrote in a press release.
The scientists revealed that the mutations in both new virus strains impact the small spikes covering the surface of coronavirus cells that allow the virus to attach itself to and infect human cells.
They believe the mutations in the strain found in the Columbus patients may make the virus more infectious, like the mutation first identified in the U.K., which an early study suggests is 56% more contagious.
Crucial Quote
“The big question is whether these mutations will render vaccines and current therapeutic approaches less effective,” said Peter Mohler, chief scientific officer at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center who coauthored the study, in a statement. “At this point, we have no data to believe that these mutations will have any impact on the effectiveness of vaccines now in use.”
Key Background
New coronavirus strains have caused alarm, especially those that may be more contagious. The coronavirus variant first identified in the U.K. is believed to be behind the country’s recent surge of new infections. This virus is more contagious than previous strains, and countries all over the world have banned travelers coming from Britain in an attempt to keep the new variant out of their borders. Cases of the so-called U.K. strain have already been identified in the U.S. Former CDC director Tom Frieden said last week the new strain has the potential to push the U.S. “close to a worst-case scenario.” The U.S. is already battling the world’s most devastating coronavirus outbreak, with a Johns Hopkins University tracker counting more than 22.8 million confirmed cases and 381,130 deaths.
Further Reading
Seven Days Since Capitol Attack Have Been Deadliest Of Covid Pandemic (Forbes)
New Coronavirus Strain Is 56% More Infectious, Scientists Estimate (Forbes)
