Over time, the strains of coronavirus acquire more mutations, since the virus strives to become more contagious, bypass the immune system and multiply for a longer time. So the appearance of 32 mutations in the new strain of Coronavirus, called “Oomikron”, explained Professor of the Epidemiology of the University of California in San Francisco (USA) George Rutherford.
In a conversation with “Ribbon.ru”, the epidemiologist noted that at the moment it is not known whether this type of COVID-19 is superior to some of these criteria of Delta strain, which is now dominant in the world. Therefore, to draw conclusions about how dangerous is the new strain, prematurely.
Earlier, the head of the European Commission of Ursula Von der Lyien in stated that the strain could spread all over the world over the next few months. On the evening of November 26, the World Health Organization recognized a new strain of a kind of concern.
The first reports of infection with a new strain in South Africa, Botswana and Hong Kong appeared on November 24. Later infected with a new variety of COVID-19 discovered in Israel and Belgium. British scientists from the University College in London suggested that B.1.1.529 will be more resistant to vaccines than delta option. The university laboratories found out that the strain has more than 32 mutations.