Experts are monitoring a newly detected B.1.1.529 COVID-19 variant in Botswana which reportedly has a high number of mutations.
Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) show that there are no more than 100 cases of the variant based on genome sequencing conducted.
This includes four in Botswana, 77 in Gauteng, South Africa, and one in Hong Kong. The new variant reportedly has 30 mutations in its spike protein which “are concerning for predicted immune evasion and transmissibility.”
“We see a lot of mutations in the spike protein that might affect how well the virus is neutralized,” Prof. Richard Lessells of University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa said.
“But we also see some mutations that are well-known from other variants of concern, variants of interest, and they give us concern that these might give the virus enhanced transmissibility,” he added.
The WHO has considered B.1.1.529 as a variant under monitoring.
“When you have so many mutations, that can have an impact on how the virus behaves,” WHO COVID-19 technical lead Maria Van Kerkhove said.
“Right now, researchers are getting together to understand where these mutations are in the spike protein and the furin cleavage site, and what that potentially may mean for our diagnostics, or therapeutics, and our vaccines,” she added.
Health protocols
In the Nov. 26 Laging Handa briefing, infectious disease expert Dr. Edsel Salvana said minimum public health standards must continue to be observed.
The member of the Department of Health Technical Advisory Group (DOH-TAG) said the mutations of the newly detected variant is alarming.
“While nakakabahala ang presence ng certain mutations, hindi automatic na mas nakakamatay ito o mas nata-transmit, or mas bumababa ang epekto ng ating vaccines,” he said.
“One thing is for sure though, kahit anong variant pa ‘yan, gumagana pa rin ang paggamit ng mask at ang ating minimum health standards… Iyong ating bakuna, most likely tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang protection against severe disease,” he added.
Acting Presidential Spokesperson Karlo Nograles said in the Nov. 26 Palace briefing that the government is monitoring the situation.
Bureau of Immigration (BI) spokesperson Dana Sandoval said they are prepared to implement restrictions if the Inter-Agency Task Force sees the need to adjust travel constraints. – Reports from Mark Fetalco/AG-rir
