Coronavirus Update Show January 25, 2021, The New UK Variant Detected in Washington State

B.1.1.7 Variant is Detected in Washington State

On Friday, January 23, 2021, the Washington Department of Health along with the Snohomish Health District and the UW Medicine Virology Lab, announce that the B.1.1.7 variant of COVID-19 has been found in testing samples from Washington state. Only 195 cases of B.1.1.7 have been found in the United States thus far.

The B.1.1.7 variant, first detected globally in September 2020, emerged with an unusually large number of mutations and has now spread significantly in London and southeast England. This variant spreads more easily and quickly than other variants. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is no conclusive evidence that it causes more severe illness or increased risk of death but are currently working with UK health officials to review new data that may suggest it is more deadly after all. Dr. Anthony Fauci called those findings “concerning” in an interview Monday on NBC’s “Today” show. The CDC estimated that this strain will become the dominant strain in the U.S. within a few months.

The UW Medicine Virology Lab detected two cases of the COVID-19 variant, known as B.1.1.7 or SARS-CoV-2 VOC 202012/01 in specimens collected from two Snohomish County residents. The lab screened 1,035 samples between December 25, 2020 and January 20, 2021 to detect mutations associated with B.1.1.7, first identified in the United Kingdom (UK). The lab confirmed the variant by whole viral genome sequencing. Data collected so far suggests a low prevalence of the B.1.1.7 variant in western Washington. Although these are the first detected B.1.1.7 variants in the state, it is likely that other cases exist and will come to light through ongoing surveillance.

Does the vaccine work on the B.1.1.7 new variant?

Early testing shows Moderna and Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines appear to work against new, more infectious variant B.1.1.7 of the pandemic virus found in the UK. These studies are yet to be peer-reviewed but show a lot of promise.

What do we do now?

Right now experts are stressing the importance of doubling down on the things we know work, physical distancing, mask wearing, and hand washing. Experts are recommending we upgrade our masks to KN95 or medical masks with a fabric mask over it. If you only have access to fabric masks use one that is double fabric or wear two masks for great protection. If there was ever a time to really implement strong physical distancing measures it would be now as we race towards herd immunity against this new more viral strain. That means whenever possible get delivery of essential items, only meet outdoors with people outside your household and maintain a minimum of six feet. Even with strict lockdowns in the UK the case numbers are not decreasing as fast as they need to be with some experts pointing to school reopening as the catalyst for rapid spreading.

New travel bans and restrictions are being put in place to slow the spread of new variants, currently, international travelers will now need to get a COVID-19 test by three days before entering the country. President Joe Biden issued a travel ban for non-U.S. citizens coming from Brazil, South African, Ireland, the U.K., and 26 other countries to mitigate the spread of the new mutations of the virus. Experts are also recommending all travelers to quarantine for seven days after returning as well as getting a test just to be safe. Another variant that is highly concentrated in Brazil known as P1 has recently been found in Minnesota. It is really important that we are limiting travel, especially international travel at this time as more viral mutations are on the rise. 

The South African Variant B.1.351

At this time there has not been any detection of the South African Variant B.1.351 in the United States but experts warn we should be prepared for the strain. There is growing evidence that the South African variant B.1.351 may be capable of evading the bodi’s immune response decreasing some antibodies’ ability to neutralize the virus. This mutation may make it easier for some people to get reinfected with COVID-19 and decrease the effectiveness of the current vaccine.

What also makes the South African Variant alarming is that it appears to affect young people more than previous strains. More data is necessary to confirm whether or not that is true as at this point it is based on anecdotal evidence from clinicians in South Africa.

Does the vaccine work on the South African Variant, B.1.351?

When applied to the South African variant, B.1.351, the vaccine produced levels of virus-fighting antibody titers that were around sixfold less than when it's used against other variants which means it is still effective but may be less effective. This study also needs to be peer-reviewed.

Moderna and Pfizer are launching additional clinical efforts to test if a third booster dose could increase the vaccine’s effectiveness on the B.1.251 variant. They are also testing if a booster dose with adjustments made specifically to work on these variant proteins would be necessary. Moderna announced it hopes to have an effective booster available by the fall of 2021.

To date, smallpox is the only disease to be completely eradicated. Health experts are reminding us today that we are not shooting for eradication or elimination at this point but rather the bar for success is about reducing the capacity of the virus to kill, to put people in the hospital, to destroy the economy and our lives.