What we know about B. 1.1.529, the new COVID variant that has countries enacting immediate border restrictions
South African health officials have identified a new coronavirus variant following a spike in COVID-19 cases in Gauteng, South Africa.
For weeks, the country was recording about 200 new cases a day, but on Thursday, the number of new cases suddenly skyrocketed to 2,465. It's estimated that 90 per cent of the 1,000 new cases detected through PCR tests on Wednesday in Gauteng were caused by the new variant, according to Tulio de Oliveira, director of the Centre for Epidemic Response & Innovation in South Africa.
The new variant is called B. 1.1.529, and will likely be named Nu - the next available letter in the Greek alphabet naming system for coronavirus variants.
There's very little known about the new variant, but the World Health Organization (WHO) has moved quickly to hold an emergency session in Geneva to discuss the new variant.
Should we be concerned about the new variant?
There are fewer than a 100 whole genome sequences available, a research tool used to reveal the complete DNA makeup of an organism that helps scientists better understand disease and illness. The WHO praised South Africa for quickly reporting the discovery of the new variant.
Scientists know that the new variant is genetically distinct from previous variants, including the Beta and Delta variants, but do not know if these genetic changes make it any more transmissible or dangerous.
We don't know very much about this yet. What we do know is that this variant has a large number of mutations. And the concern is when you have so many mutations it can have an impact on how the virus behaves," said Maria van Kerkhove, an epidemiologist and WHO technical lead on COVID-19.
But it is something to watch, the organization warns.
This particular variant has a large number of mutations, and the concern is the impact it can have on how the virus behaves. Health experts are particularly concerned about its impact on diagnostics, on treatment and on the efficacy of current vaccines in fighting the new variant.
The global health agency is reminding people that the more the virus circulates, the more it is able to change and adapt.
The WHO has assembled a team to monitor the variant and will work toward determining if it should be classified as a variant of interest (VOI) or a variant of concern (VOC). If it is designated as a VOI or VOC, only then will the WHO give it a Greek name.
The Delta variant is still by far the most transmissible form of COVID; it accounts for more than 99 per cent of sequences shared with the world's biggest public database.
Which countries have reported B. 1.1.529 cases?
It's unclear exactly where the new variant originated. It was first detected in South Africa, and then later identified in Belgium, Botswana, Hong Kong and Israel.
How are countries reacting?
News of the emerging variant sent stock markets tumbling worldwide. Oil prices fell below US $80 a barrel in early trading Friday. Investors hurried to the safety of bonds, and so-called stay-at-home companies like Zoom and Peloton, who recorded record gains during the pandemic lockdowns and saw jumps in trading. It's a complete reversal from earlier this month, when travel companies and Airbnb showed signs of recovery as investors displayed optimism that the world would soon open up again.
By Friday, at least 10 countries had announced measures about the new COVID-19 variant. The UK announced Thursday that it was halting all travel to South Africa and several neighbouring countries, with Israel, Singapore and other European countries following suit in a frenzied effort to keep the new variant at bay.
The WHO is cautioning countries against hastily imposing travel restrictions, urging them to take a risk-based and scientific approach."
In the past, governments have taken days, weeks and even months to issue travel restrictions in response to new variants. This time, restrictions came within hours of South Africa's announcement.
When will we know more?
It will take a few weeks for us to understand what impact this variant has, said WHO.
The organization has assembled a team of researchers are getting together to understand where these mutations have been identified and what kind of impact it will have on current COVID-19 therapeutic measures.
Speaking directly to the camera, van Kerkhove said, Every single one of you watching has a role to play in driving transmission down, as well as protecting yourself against severe disease and death. So get vaccinated when you can, make sure you receive the full course of your doses, and make sure you take steps to reduce your exposure and prevent yourself from passing that virus to someone else."
With files from the Associated Press.
Ivy Mak is a team editor on the Star's breaking news desk, based in Toronto. Reach her via email: ivymak@thestar.ca