COVID-19 variant: If one citizen used to infect 2 or 3, now up to 7 may become infected

"What has been found is that this variant increases the contagion (capacity) between 40 and 70%. That means if SARS-CoV-2 is already highly contagious, now this variant can cause contagions to occur much faster and to a greater amount of people. If one (person) used to infect 2 or 3 people, starting now these will be 5, 6, or 7 people," he indicated.

According to Dr. Suarez, viruses undergo mutations in all epidemics, and that happens with the influenza virus.

The expert added that there are four characteristics observed in viruses: infectivity (that is, of all those who have been exposed to it, how many become infected); pathogenicity (of all those who are infected, how many become ill), virulence (of all those who get sick, how many become serious cases); and lethality (of all those seriously ill, how many die).

"So far, what we know is that the observed mutations —the British and the South African ones— only affect the first characteristic which is infectivity. How does it happen? It is not yet fully known. What is known is that a part of the surface of the virus (the spike protein) sticks more easily to human cells; therefore, contagion is faster," he expressed.

Moreover, he said that —as part of the epidemiological and virological surveillance in the country— 355 genomes of the SARS-CoV-2 virus have been sequenced to date, and that of the first case was completed yesterday.

"This variant has 7 mutations," he noted.

Lastly, Dr. Suarez reiterated the need for the population to comply with the usual prevention measures, such as using face masks, maintaining physical distance, and washing hands constantly.

On Friday, the Peruvian Government announced that the first case of the COVID-19 variant —initially found in the United Kingdom— has appeared in Peru.

(END) RRC/MVB