Posted on 03/23/2021 1:41:23 AM PDT by nickcarraway
French authorities have announced the emergence of a new variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the northwestern region of Brittany that has escaped detection by standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests.
The SARS-CoV-2 virus is the agent responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic that continues to ravage the globe and has now caused more than 2.67 million deaths.
An in-depth investigation is now underway in Brittany after genomic sequencing identified eight carriers of the variant among a cluster of 79 cases in the town of Lannion in the Côtes d'Armor on the 13th of March.
On Monday, the health ministry said in a statement that initial analyses of the variant do not suggest that this new strain is more transmissible or causes more severe disease than previous viral strains.
However, in a press conference on Tuesday, health officials said the failure of PCR tests to detect the virus is raising concerns.
Belgian virologist and interfederal COVID-19 spokesperson Steven Van Gucht clarified that about eight individuals presented with typical coronavirus symptoms, "but the tests remained negative."
The announcement comes as France sees a resurgence in SARS-CoV-2 cases, with President Emmanuel Macron warning that new lockdown measures could be implemented in the days to come.
Image Credit: Hand Robot / Shutterstock Image Credit: Hand Robot / Shutterstock WHO categorizes new strain as "variant under investigation" The World Health Organization (WHO) has categorized the new strain as a "variant under investigation" (VUI) rather than a "variant of concern" (VOC) like the strains that were recently identified in Brazil, the UK and South Africa.
The VUI category includes thousands of naturally occurring variants, of which only a small fraction are likely to pose any risk to public health.
Related Stories Newly-discovered bat coronavirus 94.5% identical to SARS-CoV-2 ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine does not protect against South African SARS-CoV-2 variant SARS-CoV-2 variants with E484K mutation show mRNA vaccine-induced antibody evasion Investigations are currently underway to better understand the variant and its response to the protective antibodies generated following previous SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination against the virus.
However, as Gucht reminded people on Tuesday, it is expected that new variants will emerge as viruses constantly evolve mutations in their genome.
What about the testing? Furthermore, many different tests are used by different laboratories, and it is possible that a particular test may have problems detecting a certain variant, added Gucht.
"That does not necessarily mean that this is the case for all other tests – quite the contrary," he said.
Each test detects one to three different parts of the virus and different tests can detect different parts.
"Usually, a good test does not depend on detecting one specific part. So, if there is a mutation in one part of the virus, that signal may be lost, but there is usually a second or third signal that will be found," said Gucht.
Authorities are implementing the necessary monitoring and support In the meantime, French health authorities are implementing the necessary monitoring and support measures.
Public Health France and the National Reference Centers has set up a system for detecting and monitoring potential cases or carriers of the new VUI across areas including Lannion, Guingamp, Saint-Brieuc and Morlaix.
The general health directorate has also alerted health establishments and health professionals that the variant is being monitored.
Finally, as a precautionary measure, local authorities, prefectures and the Regional Health Agency are stepping up measures to mitigate viral spread by speeding up vaccination and reminding people about the importance of protective measures such as social distancing and restricting the number of people at gatherings.
Sources: Elisa Braun. New French coronavirus variant appears to bypass standard tests. Politco, 2021. Available at: https://www.politico.eu/article/new-french-coronavirus-variant-might-bypass-pcr-tests/ Santé publique France. Press release, 2021, Maïthé Chini. New coronavirus variant found in France is undetectable by PCR tests, The Brussels Times, 2021. Available at: https://www.brusselstimes.com/news/belgium-all-news/health/160220/new-coronavirus-variant-found-in-france-is-undetectable-by-pcr-tests-steven-van-gucht-bretagne-brittany-belgium-labs/ https://solidarites-sante.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/cp_nouveau_variant_15-03-2021.pdf
How about funding a “gain of function” in viruses?
Scary new boogeyman du jour.
YAWN... ZZZZzzzzz.... Just say no.
Quite a suspect claim.
And the only solution is more lockdowns and government control! Mandatory vaccinations!
Yawn...when the death rate gets near 20%...maybe I’ll show a little concern. .03 - .07? Nope. I’m in Florida, off to work now, then the wife and I will go out to eat at any of the restaurants we want since Governor Desantis kept us open - without a mask.
lovely
But I just got “vaccinated” and so did my children, we all wear our masks as directed, abide by all protocols, and adhere to the government........ /s The sheep have no idea the wolves are circling.
More fear mongering, no mention of any fatalities...
True...without the infallible PCR...Plane Crash Results might now be considered covid...especially if the pilot had co-morbidities.
Le Flu?
Hasn’t it already been admitted that the PCR test doesn’t detect the China Virus, why yes grasshopper
LOL. “Genomic sequencing” IS “PCR”. For it to be “undetectable by PCR” it would have to be based on something other than DNA. Ain’t happenin’.
The PCR test is invalid and leads to false positives. 90% of the positives are false. Also: “The test cannot distinguish between a living virus and a short strand of RNA from a virus which broke into pieces weeks or months ago.”
Your second statement is correct. The first is wrong, or rather, applies only if pushed to too many cycles of amplification.
They, at the same time, found colds are catchable!
So now we’re supposed to hide from undetectable viruses? Sounds like the Harvey the rabbit of viruses.
...maybe it doesn’t exist?
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