The new Omicron variant is likely the most divergent lineage identified this year, with 100 mutations, including 30 in the spike. But infections are not increasing and protection from vaccines and previous infections is not expected to be compromised to a greater extent
been isolated in South Africa a new hyper-mutated variant of SARS-CoV-2. of the Omicron strain and presents beyond 100 mutations peculiarities of which more than 30 in the spike protein (the part that the coronavirus uses to attach to human cells).
This was reported by Tulio de Oliveira, director of the Center for Epidemic Response and Innovation at Stellenbosch University in South Africa, already head of the team that first identified Omicron. Oliveira published on the public portals that collect the sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 eight new genomes which he defined as probably the most divergent lineage identified this year which he called: BA.2.X (or also BA.2.87.1). The new sub-variant was detected in 8 samples from three districts in Limpopo and Gauteng provinces between 20 September and 29 November 2023. According to the scholar (who proposes an updated genetic map of Omicron, see figure on page) may have emerged from BA.2 or from the basal node of Omicron. In addition to the mutations, the variant presents 7 deletionssimplifying, 7 missing parts of the virus compared to previous lineages.
The degree of transmissibility and pathogenicity is still unknown – clarifies de Oliveira on X -. South Africa has increased genomic surveillance, with very little sign that this new lineage is spreading widely and replacing the currently dominant BA.2/JN.1. Protection from vaccines and previous infections is not expected to be compromised more severely affected by these spike mutations than spike mutations found in other circulating lineages, such as XBB and JN.1 (we talked about it HERE, ed
), concludes the scholar.
Covid will remain to bother us and gradually different variants will pass the baton cyclically every 4-6 monthsthe virologist from the University of Milan observes to Adnkronos Salute, Fabrizio Pregliasco. The cyclical nature, unlike what happens with the flu – he points out – will not necessarily be linked to winter. The coronavirus will continue to mutate, but the human species knows how to defend itself from old and new variants: we have safe and effective vaccines. Let's use our brains and vaccinate ourselves, he declares Pier Luigi Lopalco, professor of Hygiene at the University of Salento. It doesn't seem worrying at the moment, he adds regarding the new variant Giovanni Rezzaformer director of Prevention at the Ministry of Health and today extraordinary professor of Hygiene at the Vita-Salute San Raffaele University in Milan.
Based on the sequencing data available in the national I-Co-Gen platform, in Italy in the last five weeks of sampling (data from 22 January 2024) we continue to observe an increase in the proportion of sequences attributable to the variant of interest JN.1, derived from Pirola
with a value equal to 70.5% in the last consolidated week (01-07 January 2024). However, Covid infections are decreasing: in the week between 25 and 31 January 2024, 3,859 new positive cases of Covid-19 were recorded, a decrease of 33.6% compared to the previous week (5,810 cases) and 115 deaths (-43 ,3%, 203). The positivity rate at 2.6% is down 1% compared to seven days ago (3.6%). The employment rate in the medical area on 31 January was 3.5% (2,169 hospitalised) compared to 4.3% on 24 January (2,691) and in intensive care at 1.2% (106 hospitalised) compared to 1 .4% previous (121).
The last few months – comments the director of Prevention of the Ministry of Health, Francesco Vaia — have now definitively highlighted in an unequivocal manner that we are faced with the endemic of SARS-CoV-2 (when a virus becomes permanently present in the population, such as influenza, ed).
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February 2, 2024 (modified February 2, 2024 | 4:51 pm)
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