I don’t think so, unless the PCR test used in the UK uses different protocols. It turns out that one of the mutations (I think there’s a deletion, a point mutation wouldn’t do it) means that one of the three target regions does not amplify in the new variant. So just the routinue COVID PCR tests would be picking it up.
ETA: see here
Dr Jeffrey Barrett, Director of the SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Initiative at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, said:
Comment in response to questions about the new variant and the PCR test:
“One of the mutations in the new variant deletes six bases in the viral genome that encode amino acids 69 and 70 of the spike protein. By coincidence, this region is one of three genomic targets used by some PCR tests, and so in those tests that “channel” comes up negative on the new variant. However, the other two channels, which are not affected by the new variant, provide redundancy, and mean that the virus is still detected by the combined test."
Right, the sequencing details and the phylogenetic analysis, all the detailed modeling on how it has spread. That’s work that was done in the U.K. that maybe is not being done so well in other places.
But what I was saying is that part of what they discovered in the analysis is that it turns out by sheer chance that this strain does not amplify one of the 3 channels in the standard COVID PCR test. Everyone now knows that, so assuming that they use the same PCR test in other countries (which I think they do, but I don’t have a definitive source), if it were circulating in those countries they would know just from getting this pattern in the standard COVID PCR tests that everyone is already doing.
Derek links to these experimental results tweeted yesterday.
This is an experiment to test the neutralizing effect of antibodies on virus, using this technique.
The approach here is to use serum from a patient previously infected with the regular virus (WT, wild type), who will have antibodies that recognize the shape of the regular virus. It then compares how well those antibodies neutralize regular virus vs a mutant strain containing the important N501Y mutation. There is little difference.
But note:
(1) The mutant variant tested here is NOT the newest strain that everyone is worried about, it’s a mutant that shares the important N501Y mutation, but does not have all the other mutations.
(2) The serum comes from someone who was infected with the real virus, not someone vaccinated.
Typically they become more benign as no virus “wants” to kill its host but COVID with its longish incubation period as well as being non-symptom producing in many individuals has accomplished the next best thing.
Does anyone have information on how / why this variant is more contagious? Does it spread in smaller droplets, produce more aerosols, cling to surfaces longer, hijack the brain to make the sick person lick strangers, or what?
Thanks for the informative link. I had the same question as Dr.Drake. I still feel pretty safe because I wear a mask religiously, live alone, and don’t socialize, period. For the many people who’ve developed a false sense of security in their “bubbles,” the new variant really is something of a threat.
England (London, Oxford, Cambridge, etc) is a world centre for this kind of research, and is doing a lot of genome description. The fact that something is described first in England is not, in itself, evidence that it’s an “English” variant.
It also prompts the thought that in Europe and the US many anomalies, genetic variants and unusual occurrences will only ever be identified in retrospect, because there is simply so much going on, that the ‘noise’ is too great.
The unresolved New Zealand outbreak, which may have come from surface contamination of imported seafood, but no one knows for sure, was only visible because it happened in a place with otherwise zero cases and hyper-vigilance. I expect that in Paris or Houston or Brasilia that even if surface contamination events happened frequently they would be impossible to notice because just walking out your door exposes you to so many possible other avenues of being infected.
While the unresolved outbreak is still unresolved, low case numbers and dedicated investigation in New Zealand have provided some useful insights to Corona virus infection. Basically all cases (starting at the border) have genomic analysis performed. This means that any community cases that have escaped isolation can be linked back to the border, and provides an important step in tracing infection path.
We know that one case (a maintenance worker in a managed isolation facility) was linked to using a lift that had been used by someone who tested positive (a fifteen minute window). Another cluster in a quarantine facility was linked to the lid of a shared waste bin. One further case acquired at the border was passed to a colleague with a 2 minute contact window in an office.
This level of detailed tracing has led to modifications in processes inside the Isolation and Quarantine facilities, and they have been further updated in preparation for these new variants (both the UK and South African ones). The UK variant has already been detected in recent arrivals, and hopefully the new changes will prevent any escape into the community. It certainly helps that we are in the height of summer now, and this will make virus survival far less likely.
There have not been any vaccinations yet, but I don’t doubt that MIQ staff/medical personnel and other border workers will be the first in line.
I can imagine scenarios where slower vaccine delivery would provide increased selection pressure toward the emergence of vaccine resistant variants; if we have a silent mutation within the spike protein which does not affect the function of the protein but changes the epitope that the vaccine targets, there would be selection pressure in a mixed vaccinated population, toward spread of the vaccine resistant variant.
Evidence for the significantly higher transmission in this strain is strengthening. This is surely going to be bad when it hits the U.S., given our reluctance to accept lockdown measures.
In addition to the UK variant, there is a South African variant. The latest news is that in addition to being more contagious than Coronavirus Classic™, the SA variant has mutations in its spike protein that may reduce the effectiveness of existing vaccines.