The main difference between the new strain of coronavirus, which was identified in the UK in December, is its greater infectivity, so the methods of protection against infection will be similar to those adopted to prevent the usual COVID-19. This was told by the doctor of medical sciences, virologist of the Gamaleya Institute Victor Zuev in the comments ” 360 “.
So, a person infected with the original strain on average transmits the infection to three more people, and the carrier of the mutated virus can transmit it to about ten citizens. At the same time, pathogenicity (the ability of a microorganism to cause disease – approx. Lenta.ru ) of the new SARS-CoV-2 strain remains the same as before. “The main thing is that its antigenic properties have not changed, so the effectiveness of the vaccine remains in relation to this strain,” the virologist explained.
In this regard, to prevent the spread of infection, it is necessary to maintain a mask and glove regime and social distance.
Formerly director of the Gamaleya Center Alexander Gintsburg assured that the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine will protect against the British strain of coronavirus. According to him, the new mutation affects only a small point on the surface of the virus protein.
A dangerous mutation of the coronavirus was discovered in September in the UK. To date, about a thousand cases of infection with the new strain have been identified. The mutation has also been identified in patients in Denmark, the Netherlands, and South Africa. The British Advisory Board on New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats said this variant of the coronavirus is spreading faster.