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Covid and the emerging threat- how serious is the new wave?

Viruses like SARS-CoV-2 continuously evolve as changes in the genetic code (caused by genetic mutations and viral recombination) occur during replication of the genome. A lineage is the genetically closely related group of virus variants derived from a common ancestor. The variant has one or more mutations that differentiate it from other variants of the SARS-CoV-2 viruses. The recombinant is a variant created by the combination of genetic material from two different variants. As expected, multiple variants of SARS-CoV-2 have been documented in the United States and globally throughout this pandemic. To inform local outbreak investigations and understand national trends, scientists compare genetic differences between viruses to identify variants (also including recombinants) and how they are related to each other.

• SARS-CoV-2 genetic lineages in the United States are routinely monitored through epidemiological investigations, virus genetic sequence-based surveillance, and laboratory studies.  
• Genetic lineages of SARS-CoV-2 have been emerging and circulating around the world since the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
• In 2021 November 30, the U.S. government SARS-CoV-2 Interagency Group (SIG) classified Omicron as a Variant of Concern (VOC).

This classification was based on the following:

• Detection of cases attributed to Omicron in multiple countries, such as among those without travel history.
• The number or locations of substitutions in the spike protein.
• Transmission or replacement of the Delta variant in South Africa.
• Available data for other variants with fewer substitutions in the spike protein that indicate a reduction in neutralization by sera from vaccinated or convalescent individuals.
• Available data for other variants with fewer substitutions in the spike protein that indicate reduced susceptibility to certain monoclonal antibody treatments.

• In 2022 April 14, the U.S government COVID-19 Interagency Group (SIG) downgraded Delta from a Variant of Concern to the Variant Being Monitored. This new classification was based on the following:
  • Significant and sustained reduction in its national and regional proportions over time.
  • Evidence suggesting that Delta does not currently pose a significant risk to public health in the United States.
• The SIG Variant classification scheme defines four classes of SARS-CoV-2 variants:
  • Variant Being Monitored (VBM)
    • Alpha (B.1.1.7 and Q lineages)
    • Beta (B.1.351 and descendent lineages)
    • Gamma (P.1 and descendent lineages)
    • Delta (B.1.617.2 and AY lineages)
    • Epsilon (B.1.427 and B.1.429)
    • Eta (B.1.525)
    • Iota (B.1.526)
    • Kappa (B.1.617.1)
    • 1.617.3
    • Mu (B.1.621, B.1.621.1)
    • Zeta (P.2)
  • Variant of Interest (VOI)
  • Variant of Concern (VOC)

• Omicron (B.1.1.529, BA.1, BA.1.1, BA.2, BA.3, BA.4 and BA.5 lineages)

Variant of High Consequence (VOHC)

• To date, no variants of high consequence have been identified in the United States.
• Vaccines approved and authorized for use in the United States are effective against the predominant variant circulating in the United States and effective therapeutics are available. CDC continues to monitor all variants circulating within the United States.

4th Wave of Covid-19 Updates

On Tuesday, various countries also report a decline in testing rates, the global figures showing an increase in Covid-19 cases could signal a much bigger issue, the WHO warned. Despite a decline in Covid-19 cases for a month, the WHO reports an increase in cases in Asia and China’s Jilin province. The WHO indicated that the Omicron variant and BA.2 sublineage and lifting public health and social measures all played a role in causing the outbreak.

What we are seeing is the tip of the iceberg. We are seeing the number of cases rise even as some countries reduce testing said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Low vaccination rates in some countries, mainly because of misinformation, have also contributed to the increase. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports approximate 43,000 deaths and 11 million new cases over the week of March 7 to 13, an increase of 8 per cent over the previous week. Since the end of January, the CDC reports an increase for the first time. There was a 25 per cent increase in cases and a 27 per cent increase in deaths in the WHO’s Western Pacific region, including South Korea and China.