8List.ph
  • News
    • Showbiz
    • Opinion
    • Sports
    • Profiles
    • Weird
  • Adulting
    • Career
    • Money
    • Health
    • School & Learning
    • Relationships
  • Pop
    • Movies & TV
    • Music
    • Books
    • Games
    • Theater
    • Retro
    • K-World
  • Lifestyle
    • Style
    • Beauty
    • Food & Drink
    • Nest
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Pinoy
  • Videos
    • Slam8ook
    • Isabuhay Ang Panata
    • 8list Plays
    • Archives
      • 8List Asks
      • 8List Explores
      • 8List Presents
      • 88 Seconds
      • 8secs
      • Filgood
      • Kaya Today!
      • Pagsubeks
      • #8MinutesWith
      • YOUth DECIDE
      • Str8 Up with Delamar
      • Toughest Job 2016
  • Breathe
  • About
  • Sitemap
  • Advertise
  • Privacy
  • Archive
  • Bitesized.ph
  • Windowseat.ph

 

 

 

8List.ph is published by ID8, Inc.

Subscribe
8List.ph
8List.ph
  • News
    • Showbiz
    • Opinion
    • Sports
    • Profiles
    • Weird
  • Adulting
    • Career
    • Money
    • Health
    • School & Learning
    • Relationships
  • Pop
    • Movies & TV
    • Music
    • Books
    • Games
    • Theater
    • Retro
    • K-World
  • Lifestyle
    • Style
    • Beauty
    • Food & Drink
    • Nest
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Pinoy
  • Videos
    • Slam8ook
    • Isabuhay Ang Panata
    • 8list Plays
    • Archives
      • 8List Asks
      • 8List Explores
      • 8List Presents
      • 88 Seconds
      • 8secs
      • Filgood
      • Kaya Today!
      • Pagsubeks
      • #8MinutesWith
      • YOUth DECIDE
      • Str8 Up with Delamar
      • Toughest Job 2016
  • Breathe
  • Lockdown Diaries

Here’s What Pinoys Need to Know About the COVID-19 Mutations

  • Posted on Feb 4, 2021
  • 4 minute read
  • Cristina Morales
Total
0
Shares
0
0
1

Here’s What Pinoys Need to Know About the COVID-19 Mutations

Feb 4, 2021   •   Cristina Morales

Since the beginning of the pandemic, COVID-19 has been mutating. Now that vaccines are being rolled out, you could be wondering whether these vaccines would be effective against the new strains. Here’s what you need to know about the mutations:

 

First of all, how do viruses mutate?

Via Pexels

Virus mutations are normal and expected. New variants occur when something in the virus’ genes change or mutate. This happens to all viruses naturally over time. Flu viruses mutate often, which is why we are encouraged to take flu vaccines every year.

Most mutations have little impact on the behavior of the virus, but every so often, a virus mutates in a way that makes it more infectious and/or less receptive to medicine.

 

Brazil variant (P.1)

Via Unsplash

What is it?

The P.1 variant (also known as B.1.1.248) was first found in samples from northern Brazil in mid-December. These findings were published on January 12.

This variant has a mutation that enables it to bind more easily with human cells, which could make it more transmissible. It also has a mutation that helps the coronavirus evade antibodies, which means it’s possible that someone who had already been infected with the coronavirus could be reinfected by a variant.

Is it in the Philippines?

It has not been detected in the Philippines. The P.1 virus has been confirmed in Brazil, Peru, Germany, South Korea, Japan, and the U.S.

Will vaccines work on it?

More research is needed. The P.1 variant may be able to evade coronavirus-fighting antibodies, which could impact the efficacy of current vaccines. However, that doesn’t mean that currently available vaccines won’t work against this variant. Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech found that their mRNA vaccines were only slightly less effective against the B.1.135 variant from South Africa (which has the same mutation that evades antibodies). Over time, vaccines will be reformulated to respond to this mutation.

 

The UK variant (B.1.1.7)

Via Unsplash

What is it?

The B.1.1.7 variant was found in London and Kent in September (which is why it’s also called the “Kent variant”). This variant seems to be more infectious than the more common strain, and according to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, it may also be more deadly than previous mutations.

Is it in the Philippines?

Yes. The first confirmed case was announced on January 13 — a Filipino who had traveled to Dubai. According to the WHO, the UK variant has been detected in at least 70 countries.

Will vaccines work on it?

Though current vaccines may be less effective against the UK variant, scientists say that the existing vaccines should still work work against this mutation. However, more research is still needed.

 

The South Africa variant (501Y.V2)

Via Unsplash

What is it?

Also called B1.351, this mutation was detected in South Africa late last year. According to South Africa’s health minister, the mutation seemed to affect young people more compared to previous strains. Similar to the UK variant, the South Africa strain seems to be more transmissible. There is no sign, however, that it is more deadly.

Is it in the Philippines?

The South Africa variant has not yet been detected in the Philippines. The mutation has been identified in 30 countries, including the United States, the UK, Australia, and Canada.

Will vaccines work on it?

It’s believed that vaccines will still work against the South Africa variant, but possibly with diminished effectivity. Some of the variant’s mutations — including the E484K and K417N — are thought to make the variant more resistant to antibody therapies. More research is still needed to come to a conclusion.

 

The Denmark variant (L452R)

Via Unsplash

What is it?

First detected in Denmark in March 2020, the Denmark variant is still being studied by scientists to understand whether it’s more transmissible or lethal than the dominant mutation.

Is it in the Philippines?

It has not yet been detected in the Philippines. The mutation has recently been linked to outbreaks in California.

Will vaccines work on it?

More research still needs to be done before the scientific community can come to a conclusion, but some scientists think that it could be more resistant to vaccines.

 

The original variant (D614G)

Via Unsplash

What is it?

Simply called “G” by scientists, this strain was discovered in China in January 2020. Thought to be more transmissible than the original strain of the virus, it soon spread through New York and Europe. It is now the dominant variant.

Is it in the Philippines?

Yes. The D614G variant was confirmed to be in the country in August 2020.

Will vaccines work on it?

Because the G variant was the dominant strain when 2020 vaccine trials were taking place, the vaccines should be effective. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have shown to be 95% effective against the variant.

 

How can we protect ourselves from new mutations?

As long as the virus continues to spread, there will be more mutations. But we can slow down the spread. We need to stay vigilant and continue practicing protective measures like frequent handwashing, physical distancing, wearing masks, limiting gatherings, and so forth. And when vaccines become available, we should get vaccinated to slow down the virus’ spread.

Back in January, Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in the US said it best: “It is all the more reason why we should be vaccinating as many people as we possibly can, because… viruses don’t mutate unless they replicate.”

 

What are you doing to keep yourself safe?


Total
1
Shares
0
0
1
Related Topics
  • COVID-19 Updates
Avatar photo
Cristina Morales

Though a chronic dabbler in whatever tickles her fancy, Cristina claims she can count her passions on one hand: feminism, literature, the environment, embroidery, and the power of a solid pop song. She lives in Uniqlo lounge pants and refuses to leave the house without a winged eye.

Previous Article
  • Lockdown Diaries

8 ‘Normal’ Things We Did Pre-COVID That Are *Unthinkable* Now

  • Posted on Feb 4, 2021
  • Kyzia Maramara
View Post
Next Article
  • News

Your Questions About the New Child Car Seat Law, Answered

  • Posted on Feb 4, 2021Feb 4, 2021
  • Meryl Medel
View Post
You May Also Like
View Post
  • Health
  • Lockdown Diaries

Because of RTO, ‘Maskne’ Is a Growing Skin Problem; Here’s How You Can Combat It

  • Posted on May 26, 2022May 26, 2022
  • Meryl Medel
View Post
  • Lockdown Diaries

Netizens Are So Tired of Variants, They’re Comparing Omicron XE to iPhones

  • Posted on Apr 6, 2022Apr 6, 2022
  • Kyzia Maramara
View Post
  • Adulting
  • Lockdown Diaries

8 Completely Valid Reasons Why Some Employees Don’t Want to Go Back to the Office

  • Posted on Mar 7, 2022
  • Kyzia Maramara
View Post
  • Health
  • Lockdown Diaries

LIST: These Labs Offer Drive-Thru Swab Testing Services in Metro Manila

  • Posted on Jan 11, 2022
  • Ina Louise Manto
View Post
  • Health
  • Lockdown Diaries

2022 UPDATE: Which Face Mask Should You Be Wearing for the Best Protection Against COVID-19?

  • Posted on Jan 6, 2022Jan 6, 2022
  • Kyzia Maramara
View Post
  • Lockdown Diaries

Are Vaccines Effective Against the New Omicron Variant? Here’s What We Know So Far

  • Posted on Nov 29, 2021Dec 15, 2021
  • Kyzia Maramara
View Post
  • Lockdown Diaries
  • Movies & TV

UPDATED: Want to Watch on the Big Screen? You Can Book a Cinema For You and Your Fam for an ~Exclusive~ Movie Experience

  • Posted on Nov 19, 2021Feb 17, 2022
  • Meryl Medel
View Post
  • Lockdown Diaries
  • Travel

Going On a Local Trip Soon? Here’s How You Can Get a *FREE* RT-PCR Test

  • Posted on Nov 3, 2021Nov 3, 2021
  • Meryl Medel

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Get the l8est delivered right to your inbox.

8List.ph
  • About
  • Sitemap
  • Advertise
  • Privacy
  • Archive
  • Bitesized.ph
  • Windowseat.ph
Your daily dose of entertaining, useful and informative lists.

Input your search keywords and press Enter.