As the world economy is trying to bounce back from the horrid coronavirus pandemic in 2020, many businesses and establishments require workplace testing as part of health care requirements. In the tourism industry, a fit to fly certificate must be presented by tourists try to enter or go out of the country. All these preventive protocols are implemented as governments worldwide wait for their vaccines to arrive.
But as world efforts to contain COVID-19 intensifies, three new variants from the original strain are under observation. So, here are some of the things you need to know about these mutations:
The New COVID-19 Variants
The new mutations make it easier for the virus to bind to human cells through the ACE2 receptors, making the transmission of these new variants – B.1.1.7 that emerged in the UK, B.1.351 found in South Africa, and P.1 variant, which was identified in Brazil—faster.
Are the New Variants Contagious?
As these new variants are under observation, some cases were already recorded to have gone out of the country of origin; that’s why other countries needed to implement flight bans or accept a fit to fly COVID test from tourists.
Although the new COVID-19 variants are easily transmissible, they are less likely to be terminal. The severity of newer mutations that are found in the three countries does not hit an unsafe level.
Can the Virus Mutate any Further?
As health experts are doing their observations, SARS-CoV-2, the virus that caused COVID-19 even though mutating, is also currently dominating its environment. But the larger public is still warned to continue efforts in following health protocols to help stop the further spread of the virus as they are still believed to be unpredictable.
Check out this infographic that further discuss the COVID-19 mutation that is happening.
