A new covid strain has been detected in America and 30 other countries. This strain was first discovered in South Africa.

Concerns have been raised because the new variant, called B.1.351, appears to lessen the effect of some COVID-19 vaccines. People who have already contracted the disease are afraid that they could get it again.

What do you need to know?

There are five things that need to be known about the South African variant. Firstly, B.1.351 has already spread to more than 30 countries. It has eight distinctive mutations in the spike protein of the virus. This is the structure that binds and infects human cells, according to South African researchers. 

It was in Nelson Mandela Bay where the variant was first detected in early October 2020. Within weeks of being discovered, the dominant strain had already taken off in different parts of the country. South African officials found the variant in more than 90% of samples from COVID-19 patients undergoing genetic sequencing. Infectious disease experts from the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban were amazed and terrified at how quickly the new strain dominated. 

The first two cases

Owing to the fact that the variant has shown up in at least 32 countries, America and other countries have banned travelling to South Africa. The first two cases of B.1.351 were found in America on Thursday, 28 January 2020, according to a statement by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. It appears that the two cases are not connected without any history of recent travel, which suggests that the variant is being spread in the community. Ireland, Israel, France and Japan are some of the countries that have detected the strain.  

People have been asking if the new strain is more contagious. The new strain does spread easier, and with the help of studies, it seems to be 50% more transmissible than the earlier coronavirus strains. The more people infected by the virus, the greater the number of people who will be hospitalised and even die from the disease.

According to new data released by Johnson & Johnson regarding its COVID-19 vaccine candidate on Friday, 29 January 2020, the vaccine was 72% effective in America, yet in South Africa, the vaccine was only 57% effective. It has been an alarming find that the new and dominant variant is a challenge for the vaccines. Another vaccine maker, Novavax, also released results in January showing that its vaccine neared 85% effective against the UK variant, but when to put up against the South African variant, it was only 50% effective.

Vaccines

Other vaccines are likely to experience diminished effectiveness too, but doctors at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases said at a briefing in January that even if you diminish the vaccine-induced antibody efficacy by a few fold, you will still be within the protective range. Out of caution, there is a company that has begun working on a ‘booster’ vaccine dose to use against the South African variant. This could potentially be added to the two-dose series for the vaccine that already exists. 

Many people have been questioning whether they would be immune to the South African variant if they have already had coronavirus. They may be immune because the E484K mutation could possibly reduce the ability of antibodies from natural COVID-19 infection, and in turn neutralise the virus. The Novavax trial in South Africa revealed that many South Africans were re-infected with the new strain after they had previously been infected by the old strain. A study that involved 44 people in South Africa who were infected at the beginning of the pandemic showed that more than 90% had reduced immunity against the new strain when their blood was tested by researchers. Nearly half of the people had no protection against it at all.

The Second Wave

The second wave in South Africa is said to have been more severe than what was experienced in July but is passing its peak. The number of new cases has fallen, and South Africans seem to be more optimistic. The health system is still taking strain, even with the decline in infections, which can be attributed to many factors, including the strict physical distancing owing to lockdown regulations. 

The new strain may be the main reason why the surge made such an impact on the growing numbers of infections, but the festive season can also be blamed, as well as poor social distancing.

Remember, it is so important to receive your prescriptions and medical advice from a trained professional. The Medical Society is able to service thousands of people in need of primary medical care, every day.

Now, people who have been previously disadvantaged and are at a disadvantage for healthcare have the opportunity to get first level care from highly trained professionals.

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