According to Rochelle Walensky, MD, CDC director, the B.1.1.7 variant is already the dominant strain in at least five regions in the US. Little wonder when you see how transmissible the strain is. Between and 50 and 70% more than the original strain and as we’ve come to expect, all the usual suspects (Florida, Texas, and Michigan) are reporting worrying trends in hospitalization in recent days, cases involving the variants. You can use the CDC link below to access a mapping tool that will allow you to check the levels of variants in your area. The tool can be found here and includes data and figures. (see screenshot)

At the moment the CDC lists five “variants of concern.” These are defined as ones

“for which there is evidence of an increase in transmissibility, more severe disease (increased hospitalizations or deaths), a significant reduction in neutralization by antibodies generated during previous infection or vaccination, reduced effectiveness of treatments or vaccines, or diagnostic detection failures.”

The CDC uses a three-tier classification system to establish a risk profile for each variant. There are no variants yet classified under the most serious listing.

• “variant of high consequence” as the most worrisome group,
• “variant of concern” and then
• “variant of interest.”

The CDC has provided the following information on each of the know variants.

B.1.1.7, first detected in the U.K.:

• About 50 percent more transmissible
• Likely causes increased disease severity based on hospitalizations and case fatality rates
• Minimal effect on neutralization by monoclonal antibody therapeutics authorized by the FDA for emergency use
• Minimal effect on neutralization by antibodies generated during previous infection or vaccination
• The U.S. has reported 12,505 cases of this variant as of April 1, with Florida (2,351), Michigan (1,237) and Colorado (894) recording the highest number of cases.

P.1, first detected in Brazil and Japan:

• No information provided regarding transmission
• No information provided regarding disease severity
• Moderate effect on neutralization by monoclonal antibody therapeutics authorized by the FDA for emergency use
• No information provided regarding the effects of past infection or vaccination
• The U.S. has reported 323 cases of this variant as of April 1.

B.1.351, first detected in South Africa:

• About 50 percent more transmissible
• No information provided regarding disease severity
• Moderate effect on neutralization by monoclonal antibody therapeutics authorized by the FDA for emergency use
• Moderate reduction in neutralization by antibodies generated during previous infection or vaccination
• The U.S. has reported 224 cases of this variant as of April 1.

B.1.427, first detected in California:

• About 20 percent more transmissible
• No information provided regarding disease severity
• Significant effect on neutralization by some, but not all, therapeutics authorized by the FDA for emergency use
• Moderate reduction in neutralization by antibodies generated during previous infection or vaccination
• The CDC is not yet providing national case counts for this variant.

B.1.429, first detected in California:

• About 20 percent more transmissible
• No information provided regarding disease severity
• Significant effect on neutralization by some, but not all, therapeutics authorized by the FDA for emergency use
• Moderate reduction in neutralization by antibodies generated during previous infection or vaccination
• The CDC is not yet providing national case counts for this variant.

The post CDC Breaks Down Covid Variants in the US as of April 1 appeared first on Medika Life.

Scientists traced back 68 cases of the Covid-19 UK variant, known as B.1.1.7, to youth who participated in school-related sports and activities. Basketball, baseball, hockey, and even skiing have been linked to the sudden spike in cases. Minneapolis school districts are evaluating options to limit activities before more athletes, coaches, and parents are affected. The goal is not to prevent important extracurricular activities but rather to prevent the further spread of this Covid-19.

Fortunately, Minnesota Health Department officials report that the infected individuals have done well. Still, the increase in cases from the UK variant is problematic affecting more than just student-athletes. The StarTribune reported, “Whole-genome sequencing has confirmed that 24 of the cases were caused by the variant known as B.1.1.7, with cases found in athletes, coaches, students, and household contacts. Health officials have found links between those cases and at least 44 others.”

The B.1.1.7 variant was first detected in the United Kingdom but has rapidly spread worldwide. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) data shows this new variant is now present in all 50 US states. Current data projections suggest it will become the predominant strain in the US in the next few weeks.

The B.1.1.7 variant is more contagious due to a mutation in the receptor on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. While this variant is more contagious, it is uncertain at this time if it is more lethal.

A new March report from the UK’s New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (NERVTAG) contains concerning findings. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) summarized the results as “ evidence[1] suggests the B.1.1.7 variant may be associated with an increased risk of death compared with other variants.” 

Reuters reports UK health officials are concerned early data may demonstrate the B.1.1.7 may be more contagious in children and infants.

In an abundance of caution, the Minnesota Health Department recommended a temporary two-week pause in youth sporting activities to slow the spread. The recommendations were not released as a statewide mandate. Each school district is left to determine its own policy.

It is essential to know that new variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, are expected. Viruses naturally mutate. Some mutations will persist while others fade away. Scientists study the genetic changes of the virus to monitor for potential threats.

While there are many identified SARS-CoV-2 mutations, there are three under a higher level of scrutiny. The B.1.1.7 (UK variant) is being monitored because it spreads so quickly. Epidemiologists are also closely watching the B.1.35 South African and the P1 Brazilian variant.  

Data suggests these three variants are more contagious and spread faster than others. A sudden spike in one of these variants could potentially strain health resources as states try to scale out vaccination rollouts as fast as possible. 

The good news is evidence so far indicates the currently available Covid-19 tests can accurately detect these variants. In addition, the FDA-approved Covid-19 vaccines are effective against these variants. Vaccine efficacy studies are in progress and are being closely monitored. 

The current FDA-approved vaccines from Moderna, Phizer, and Johnson and Johnson are still effective against the B.1.1.7 variant. The Moderna and Phizer vaccines offer 95% protection against Covid-19. Johnson and Johnson’s Janssen vaccine offers 72% protection against infection and 86% against severe disease.

All three are highly effective in preventing death. 

Minneapolis and the surrounding areas are temporarily hitting the pause button on youth sports to help prevent a wider outbreak.

The post Minneapolis Pause Youth Sports as B.1.1.7 Covid-19 Variant Surges appeared first on Medika Life.

FORT COLLINS, Colo, /PRNewswire/ — GT Molecular, a leader in wastewater-based epidemiological testing, has reported the detection of hyper-transmissible SARS-CoV-2 from the B.1.1.7 lineage in three wastewater treatment plants in the United States. This is an additional piece of evidence that the UK variant or a UK variant-like strain is spreading in the United States. GT Molecular detected the strain using its highly sensitive digital PCR test for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This test is available immediately both as a fee-for-service and as a complete, ready-to-use PCR kit for testing labs.

“Molecular biologists from around the world have come together to advance wastewater-based epidemiological approaches over the last year. This is an excellent demonstration of the power of these approaches, wherein an entire community can be tested for the presence of a variant in a single sample in a matter of hours,” says, Dr. Rose Nash, Director of R&D at GT Molecular.

GT Molecular will continue to screen communities around the country for the presence of this variant in their community wastewater through their nationwide wastewater testing program. Additionally, GT Molecular will provide the molecular reagents they designed and optimized for this analysis to the greater wastewater-based epidemiology community.

“Our team continues to respond rapidly to this pandemic by releasing both a fee-for-service test for communities and an all-in-one PCR kit for testing labs for this dangerous variant,” says GT Molecular CEO Christopher McKee. “Our new analysis will allow communities and testing labs to quickly determine whether the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 variant is present while giving health officials timely data to make decisions that can better help manage outbreaks.”

About GT Molecular

Whether for cancer, GMO or harmful pathogens, GT Molecular (GTM) is a leader in providing highly customizable, ultrasensitive digital PCR and qPCR tests for researchers and the Molecular Diagnostics community. GTM’s molecular app technology is an easy-to-use, end-to-end solution for rapid deployment and provides reliable and consistent measurements while detecting as little as 1-3 molecules of target nucleic acid.

The SARS-CoV-2 B1.1.7 (UK Variant) test is available immediately both as a fee-for-service and as a complete, ready-to-use PCR kit for testing labs.

ORDER & INFORMATION: info@gtmolecular.com 
970-498-1698

www.gtmolecular.com

SOURCE GT Molecular

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