Posted on 02/24/2021 9:31:06 AM PST by SeekAndFind
Finnish scientists claim to have found another coronavirus variant which shares some of the same mutations as other troublesome strains.
Only one case of the virus — temporarily named Fin-796H — has been spotted so far but experts have admitted they are unsure how widespread it is.
Finland said was unlikely the variant emerged there, given the country's low infection rate. The Scandinavian nation has recorded just 51,000 cases and 700 deaths since the pandemic took off.
Finnish researchers who made the discovery said the variant shared some mutations seen in the Kent and South African strains but in a combination they called 'unique'.
They did not reveal what the mutations were but they aren't thought to be changes which make those strains any more infectious or immune-resistant.
British scientists today insisted the emergence of the strain was no reason to panic. Dr Simon Clarke, an infectious disease researcher at the University of Reading, told MailOnline: 'There's no evidence there's anything to worry about yet.'
It comes as surge testing for the South African B.1.351 variant — which makes jabs slightly less effective — was rolled out to yet more postcodes, as ministers seek to stop the strain becoming established on British soil. Health bosses announced door-to-door testing will be rolled out in Leeds.
Public Health England (PHE) today revealed they had spotted another 18 cases of the mutant strain, taking the total number of cases seen in Britain to 235.
No10's top scientific advisers still insist the current crop of jabs should prevent severe illness and deaths against all new strains currently circulating, even if they don't stop people falling ill.
As long as vaccines serve their main purpose of taking pressure off the NHS, Britain should finally be able to safely ease its way out
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
We’re doomed.
Guess I’ll go take a shower now.
The new strain, discovered by the Helsinki-based Vita Laboratories, is unlikely to have emerged in Finland given the country's low rate of infection, according to the Evening Standard, however it is unclear whether it's any more infectious - or deadly - than other strains currently in circulation.
"Vita Laboratoriot Oy and the Institute of Biotechnology at the University of Helsinki have detected a previously unknown variant of the coronavirus in a sample from southern Finland," said the lab, which named the new strain Fin-769H. "Mutations in this variant make it difficult to detect in at least one of the WHO-recommended PCR tests. This discovery could have a significant impact on determining the spread of the disease."
Since the mutant strain was only discovered last week, it's unclear what impact it's having on the country's outbreak, though the timing is certainly curious.
"The variant was discovered in a patient last week, so details about the infectivity and potential resistance of this strain to vaccines are not yet known," said Taru Meri, a researcher at Vita Laboratories.
Finland has bucked the trend of falling COVID cases globally. Instead, the country has seen daily numbers remain steady since the start of the new year.
Another week, another strain. Imagine that. A virus doing what a virus does - mutate.
Just like with the regular flu, the last vaccine shot isn’t going to be the right one for the next strain.
Doctor Faki will keep vaccinating you until room temperature has been achieved.
If I didn’t know better, I’d say that someone is releasing these as a boutique test for something.
But that’d be a....conspiracy.
I thought I saw another strain out back, but it was just the neighbor’s cat.
Global lockdown for 18 months, no exceptions...
Better have three masks on.
“Slightly less effective”?
Panic porn.
No, ten.
Never can be too careful...
That’s not so far-fetched.
Keep stocking up on vitamins and minerals.
One can never have too much fear...Bring Out Your Dead
Post to me or FReep mail to be on/off the Bring Out Your Dead ping list.
The purpose of the “Bring Out Your Dead” ping list (formerly the “Ebola” ping list) is very early warning of emerging pandemics, as such it has a high false positive rate.
The false positive rate was 100%.
At some point we may well have a high mortality pandemic, and likely as not the “Bring Out Your Dead” threads will miss the beginning entirely.
*sigh* Such is life, and death...
Quarantine the sick. Protect the vulnerable. Free everyone else.
It’s amazing how quickly “researchers” can make this stuff up, er I mean “find” this stuff.
If I didn’t know better, I’d say that someone is releasing these as a boutique test for something.The government wants to disarm us after 244 yrs 'cuz they plan to do things we would shoot them for!
But that’d be a....conspiracy.There are no conspiracies, Citizen.
At no point in history has any government ever wanted its people to be defenseless for any good reason ~ nully's son
Nut-job Conspiracy Theory Ping!
To get onto The Nut-job Conspiracy Theory Ping List you must threaten to report me to the Mods if I don't add you to the list...
They spelled "completely worthless" wrong.
And one on the back of your head!
Exactly. Still, flu vaccines are geared to what mutation they are expecting from past experience. I get one every year and haven't had the flu for years. Also, since the "science" says the common cold is a disease caused by a certain corona virus and the rhino virus, why can't they develop a vaccine against the cold?
Anyway, keep a small bottle of alcohol based desanitizer on your person at all times. Spray or wipe all outside packages with Lysol or the equivalent (cover ALL areas) before bringing inside and spray or wipe your hands before touching the door knob. You'll be fine. We plan on doing this every season to avoid colds and flu even after Covid.
My Wife is out and about almost every day. We have yet to contract Covid, flu, or even a cold. If you can't find or don't want the expense of Lysol spray/wipes, just buy a couple quarts of pure alcohol along with small-capped pocket sprayers and large sprayers for large items and you're good to go. Pure alcohol does dry out your hands, but so many desanitizers are coming out with aloe vera, much like Purell.
What ever you do, don't touch your face until you have desanitized your hands. We firmly believe Covid, flu, colds are transmitted that way. Masks? Pfft.
It’s a lucrative business and nobody claims the patent on Covid19.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.