Vietnam finds new virus variant, hybrid of India, UK strains

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By HAU DINH

HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Vietnam has discovered a new coronavirus variant that’s a hybrid of strains first found in India and the U.K., the Vietnamese health minister said Saturday.

Nguyen Thanh Long said scientists examined the genetic makeup of the virus that had infected some recent patients, and found the new version of the virus. He said lab tests suggested it might spread more easily than other versions of the virus.

Viruses often develop small genetic changes as they reproduce, and new variants of the coronavirus have been seen almost since it was first detected in China in late 2019. The World Health Organization has listed four global “variants of concern” – the two first found in the U.K. and India, plus ones identified in South Africa and Brazil.

Long says the new variant could be responsible for a recent surge in Vietnam, which has spread to 30 of the country’s 63 municipalities and provinces.



FILE - In this Jan. 23, 2021 file photo, a woman wearing face mask looks at her phone in Hanoi, Vietnam. Vietnam says it has discovered a new coronavirus variant that’s a hybrid of strains first found in India and the U.K. The Vietnamese health minister made the announcement Saturday, May 29. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh, File)


Read more: https://apnews.com/article/vietnam-india-coronavirus-pandemic-health-c4c0a7c9f2e3b03c9cea2bf6fdcad70d

[SergeStorms]

1. This is what I'm concerned with in the U.S.

Everyone is acting like the pandemic is over, and we've defeated the Corona virus. With barely 50% of our nation's people vaccinated, and the vast majority behaving as if everything is back to normal, I fear some new, hyper-contagious variant, will spread across the country like wildfire.

Although 50% of us have been vaccinated, the number of those who aren't includes millions of children under the age of 12 for which there is no viable vaccine.

There are still far too many unvaccinated people in our country, and I'm afraid we're declaring victory far too soon. This novel virus has surprised scientists too many times already. Declaring victory now is premature, and quite dangerous, in my opinion.

[Marthe48]

3. I check Worldometer every morning

and Ohio Health dept. every afternoon.

The number of deaths from Covid-19 are down, but there are still between 500 and 1000 deaths EVERY day in the U.S. Ohio stopped publishing daily death tolls, but we are losing around 100 Ohioans every week. Ohio is dropping its mask mandate June 2. I am going to maintain the behavior I have adopted since March of last year, with very little change.

You aren't the only one who is questioning a too soon change in direction!

[Yavin4]

4. There were less than 12,000 COVID-19 deaths globally which is statistically, zero.

The 7-day average for U.S. deaths is 453. The death rate for those getting the virus is 2% and falling. Along every real measure, we're defeating the virus. I understand your concern, but the numbers are trending in the opposite direction.

My problem is that our government, Federal, state, and local, are not doing nearly enough to get people vaccinated when there is an abundant supply.

We have to get the economy fully re-opened. The longer we take to get back to normal. The harder it will be to get back to normal.

[SergeStorms]

5. That still doesn't address...

the millions of children below the age of 12, for which there isn't a viable vaccine at this time. As the virus mutates it's infecting children at a higher rate now. I realize the pharmaceutical companies are addressing this now, but who knows how long that will be.

Sorry, but I'm not sacrificing my grandchildren so people can pretend everything is normal again.

[Yavin4]

6. There have been 300 deaths in total for children aged 0-17 in the U.S. for the entirety of the...

pandemic. Compared to 44,788 deaths from all causes. There is no evidence that any variant is infecting children at a higher rate. In the fall, all schools will re-open fully with no hybrids with online learning.


https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/covid_weekly/index.htm#SexAndAge

[SergeStorms]

11. Well, if you have children or grandchildren...

you can take your chances with their health. I prefer not to. Fair enough?

[wnylib]

8. I'm with you on this.

[Skittles]

10. even some DUers

are acting as if the goal was to stop masking

[Ace Rothstein]

12. What was the goal?

The goal has changed repeatedly throughout the pandemic.

[Skittles]

13. TO CONTAIN THE VIRUS

STOP ITS SPREAD

[Marthe48]

2. Weren't variants in 'the common cold' virus

The reason that scientists said they couldn't find a cure for it? I think the cold virus is related to the coronavirus family. If I'm right, I would expect mutations in Covid-19. Viruses are good at spreading, surviving and spreading. I hope that our vaccines are flexible enough to protect us.

I wish to God that people would come to their effing senses and get vaccinated. Scientists worked their butts off to create a vaccine. I won't forget how hard I tried to find a place to get a vaccine for myself, how hard it was initially for people to find a vaccine supplier and get an appointment (!) to get their doses. Then, all of a sudden, it was easy. There are some many doses available, they are languishing in storage. President Biden has authorized sending unused doses to countries who need them.

I can't help wondering why the usual 'me first', stomp on Grandma selfishness isn't kicking in for r's? Death wish? Are their lives so nasty and brutish, they are willing to cut it short any way they can?

[dalton99a]

7. Kick

Vietnam was initially a standout success in battling the virus — in early May, it had recorded just over 3,100 confirmed cases and 35 deaths since the start of the pandemic.

But in the last few weeks, Vietnam has confirmed more than 3,500 new cases and 12 deaths, increasing the country’s total death toll to 47.

Vietnam has since ordered a nationwide ban on all religious events. In major cities, authorities have banned large gatherings, closed public parks and non-essential business including in-person restaurants, bars, clubs and spas.

Vietnam so far has vaccinated 1 million people with AstraZeneca shots. Last week, it sealed a deal with Pfizer for 30 million doses, which are scheduled to be delivered in the third and fourth quarters of this year. It is also in talks with Moderna that would give it enough shots to fully vaccine 80% of its 96 million people.

[marie999]

9. The more people that won't or can't be vaccinated the more variants there will be.