Coronavirus: experts see “worrying development”

English researchers have observed a worrying development: the previous mutations of the coronavirus are still changing. This could make the British variant even more dangerous, but the researchers also give hope.

Corona variant continues to mutate: vaccines soon ineffective?

It’s not good news to begin with: the British mutant of the coronavirus, labeled B.1.1.7, is considered more contagious than the pathogen in its original form that triggered the global pandemic. English experts have now documented cases in which the British variant has mutated further. In doing so, she developed a trait that is already known from the South African mutation B1.351 – this could mean that the current vaccines may lose some of their effectiveness.

Although the effectiveness of this new variant could decrease, the previously approved vaccines should still be usable, the experts continued. So far, 11 cases from Bristol and a cluster of 32 cases in Liverpool are known in which the virus carries features of both mutations. A higher number of unreported cases is likely, reports the BBC. In general, it is normal for viruses to mutate and change continuously. So that alone is not a cause for concern. In this case, the virus expert Dr. Julian Tang, University of Leicester, but of a “worrying development”. There are research results according to which the current mutation could help the virus to “bypass” human antibodies.

This is how the appointment for a corona vaccination should work:

Mutations offer hope for vaccine development

Although initially worrying, the mutations also show a possible advantage in combating the pandemic. Different mutations of the coronavirus would develop similar characteristics. Prof. Ravi Gupta, University of Cambridge, explains: “This gives us a sign that we are taking certain favored routes – and we can work on blocking them with a vaccine.” That is a silver lining. Until then, existing vaccines could, if necessary, be adapted to mutations if they lose an immense amount of effectiveness.

Meanwhile, research into new and old drugs is continuing and the Vodafone boss is in favor of easing data protection in order to better combat the pandemic.