New! Columbus strain Corona Virus Found in Ohio, United States

Suara.com – After the discovery of a new variant of the corona virus in the UK which can spread 70 percent faster, now the latest report by Ohio researchers has found a new strain of corona virus called the Columbus strain.

Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center researchers found that there are at least three different mutations from the corona virus that are spread in the United States (US).

These three mutations spread rapidly in Columbus, Ohio, for three consecutive weeks, from late December 2020 to early January 20219. That’s why they are called the Columbus strain.

“Like the strain in Britain, the mutation in Columbus is likely to be more contagious, so it is easy for the virus to pass from person to person,” the university said, quoting Live Science, Thursday (14/1/2021).

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However, Peter Mohler, as the virus researcher, said there was no evidence that this virus mutation could not be prevented by the Covid-19 vaccine that had been made.

“Until now, we had no data that this mutation would have an impact on the effectiveness of the vaccines currently in use,” explained Mohler.

Mohler and other Ohio researchers have regularly been squeezing or tracking mutations of the new coronavirus, or SARS CoV 2, since March 2020 to monitor the evolution of the virus.

Like the new variant found in England, the Columbus strain had a mutation in the viral spike protein, which allowed the virus to enter cells more quickly.

“It is very important for us not to overreact to this new variant, until we get additional data as evidence,” continued Mohler who is also the lead researcher at Wexner Medical Center.

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This mutation of the Columbus strain has the code 501Y, which is identical to one that spread in England.