The Variant Scare

Adding to the fear and concern about the Covid-19 pandemic, what is scarier are the number of mutations and variants that have emerged. It is not unexpected: All viruses mutate by making copies to thrive. We have the Indian variant (B1.617) that is spreading fast—to 21 countries according to the GISAID global database—and causing other countries to shut its borders to travellers from India. We also have the UK or Kent variant (B.1.1.7) seen across much of Britain, which spread to more than 50 countries and appears to be mutating again. The South Africa variant (B.1.351) has been found in at least 20 other countries, including the UK, while the Brazil variant (P.1) has now been found in other countries.

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The UK, South Africa, Brazil and Indian variants have all undergone changes to their spike protein—the part of the virus which attaches to human cells. How dangerous are these variants?