Since the beginning of the pandemic, medical experts have monitored how the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been mutating. Viruses have always been mutating, with many variants emerging as they spread among people.
Some variants of the virus often go undetected, while some persist, survive, and reproduce. In times like this, testing is important such as a PCR test identifying individuals infected by the virus. It is also essential to educate oneself about the mutation of the SARS-Cov-2 virus that causes COVID-19.
A notable thing about the new COVID-19 variants is the mutations in its genes that make it more transmissible, among others. The availability of PCR Test London helps determine individuals with the virus to prevent further transmission. Currently, three mutations are being monitored by scientists, which they see as worrying because of the range of mutations:
- 1.1.7, the variant identified in the United Kingdom
- 1.351, the variant that emerged in South Africa
- 1, the variant that was identified in Brazil
The main concern that health experts have over these mutations is how the virus has become more easily transmitted to others than the earlier variants of the virus. An observation of scientists on the mutations analyzed in laboratories affects some parts of the virus. The scientists see why there is an increase in the virus’s ability to infect cells.
Epidemiological data from the United Kingdom suggests that the B.1.1.7 variant has heightened transmissibility, similar to the B.1.351. variant from South Africa, which is 50% more contagious than other dominant lineages. On the other hand, virologists concluded that it is too early to tell whether the P.1. variant that emerged in Brazil is more transmissible.
Even though there is supporting data that the new mutations of the virus are easily transmissible, it does not correlate to the idea that symptomatic patients’ illness is worse. However, this does not mean that we should take this less seriously, as testing like PCR swab test has a role in mitigating the disease’s transmissions.
For more information about the COVID-19 mutation, check out this infographic by Harley Medic International.
