How dangerous are the virus mutations?

Ohio researchers identified 2 new variants

Posted 1/17/21

By Jerry Bellune

JerryBellune@yahoo.com

Covid-19 is spreading at record rates in highly-congested areas.

Lexington County has had more than 100 new cases on several days since …

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How dangerous are the virus mutations?

Ohio researchers identified 2 new variants

Posted

By Jerry Bellune
JerryBellune@yahoo.com
Covid-19 is spreading at record rates in highly-congested areas.
Lexington County has had more than 100 new cases on several days since Jan. 1.
Greenville County has had as many as 800 new cases in a single day this month.
With it, new mutations of the virus are emerging. 
Last week, Ohio researchers identified 2 unique variants in Columbus.
None so far have been identified in Lexington County.
Laura Renwick of DHEC told the Chronicle no SC variant cases have been reported.
"Since early December, DHEC has been sending at least 10 virus samples bi-weekly to CDC for study to  monitor for any changes to the virus. 
Additional information available here here.
Experts agree it’s not surprising that new variants have emerged in the US.
They told NBC News that unchecked transmission provides ample opportunities for it to mutate. 
The best way to stop new variants is to stop the spread, they say.
When the virus infects anyone, it enters the cells and makes copies of itself. 
Each time the virus copies itself, it can make errors.
If the virus replicates, it will slowly create mutations.
These mutations often are meaningless. 
Yet in some cases, they may give the virus a survival advantage,
That means making it more contagious or more resistant to vaccines. 
But some mutations can weaken the virus.
It’s unclear how the 2 mutations in Ohio will affect how the virus acts.
The researchers analyzed the genetic sequences of more than 220 virus samples in the Columbus area from April 2020 through early January 2021.
A variant identified in Ohio contains a mutation on the virus’s spike protein called N501Y.
This is the same mutation found in the more contagious UK, Brazilian and South African variants. 
Dr. Dan Jones of the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, said the variant didn’t arrive from abroad.
The researchers determined it emerged independently in the US.
The other variant contained a combination of 3 mutations that haven’t been observed together before.
Dr. Jones said vaccination is key to stop the spread and reduce the odds of new variants emerging.
“The larger your pool of patients, the more possibility for a mutation to survive and emerge,” he said. 
“It has to pass from person to person.
"If you’re not getting a lot of infection ... even an important mutation may just peter out."


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virus, covid, mutations, Lexington County, Ohio, DHEC

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