There’s no doubt that 2020 is one of the darkest years in modern history as different aspects of the economy continue to struggle from the pandemic. Many countries are still under national quarantine and social distancing is at an all-time high, but it seems the coronavirus isn’t done from putting societies in a disarray.
A new, highly infectious variant of the COVID-19 strain has made its way to Britain, causing people to worry about another round of a year-long pandemic. Just when the tourism industry is finally easing up, a slew of travel restrictions is in order in Britain and South Africa in an attempt to flatten the new curve.
This begs the question: is the new coronavirus strain a cause for worldwide concern?
Understanding the Impact of the New Coronavirus
While it’s true that the new variant can spread more easily than ever, the World Health Organization officials stated that there is no evidence that it is deadlier than the existing strain people know of today.
It’s regarded as a natural evolution of the COVID-19, seeing as viruses often mutate over time. Some variants become resistant to vaccines, others will not have a significant impact on one’s health. In this case, the new strain labeled as B 1.1.7 has 20 mutations, but how it will affect the fatality rate is still subject to review.
Why Does it Mutate?
A virus supercharges itself through time as it tries to survive the world’s detection and response. It’s in its nature to mutate to avoid the immune system’s detection, though experts guarantee that the new strain will take years to develop into a deadlier disease that renders vaccines ineffective.
It takes years to process, and by the time the strain becomes alarming, scientists strive to be more prepared than ever before. While it won’t be a catastrophic mutation, it doesn’t mean that people should take it lightly.
It’s best to practice extreme caution, especially considering the impact of the coronavirus and how the pandemic is still ongoing. Nonetheless, people can rest easy knowing that WHO officials say that it is not yet a cause for concern as the scientific community strive to monitor these changes.
The Bottom Line: Understanding the Coronavirus Mutation and How it Impacts Your Health
As 2020 draws to a close, the economy is still on its way to recovering from the life-changing impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. While a new strain emerged amidst the year-end festivities, the good news is that people can continue to welcome the new year with a positive outlook as WHO guarantees the concerning discovery will not wreak further havoc as its predecessor.
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