More and more people are getting vaccinated every day across Scotland and other parts of the UK since the vaccines first rollout in December 2020. But as the winter season’s dropping temperatures came, an increase in people’s flu-like symptoms also means an increase in people taking rapid antigen tests.
As all these are simultaneously happening, health experts discovered a change in the coronavirus’s genetic code.
The New COVID-19 Strains
Three new COVID-19 strains are currently under observation in the Center of Disease Control and Prevention laboratory because of their potential to spread faster. One of the three new viruses was discovered in the UK, known as the B.1.1. variant. As soon as reports came out, lockdowns were once again implemented. Locals and tourists from cities like Glasgow need to present Glasgow PCR tests, and Glasgow fit to fly COVID test certificates in compliance with tourism department protocols.
Are They More Contagious?
According to data that is open to the public, health experts’ main concern is that some variants seem to be easily infectious than earlier versions of the virus. As observed, the UK variant has subtle transmissibility, while the B.1.351 variant discovered in South Africa is 50% more contagious.
On the other hand, the P.1 variant, which emerged in Brazil, is under observation and health experts say that it is still too early to say whether the virus has a big capacity of infecting people.
Viruses, like all organisms, undergo changes that are necessary to thrive. But some changes go too far as to create a new breed of its kind. That’s why health professionals continue to encourage the public to maintain proper hygiene and follow health protocols to minimize coronavirus infections.
For more information on COVID-19 mutations, take a look at this infographic.
