The continuous spread of COVID-19 virus variants "Delta" and "Lambda" has caused many countries to face a new wave of epidemics. However, some immunologists have warned that next year there will be a "super variant" of the COVID-19 virus that is more powerful than "Delta", and everyone who has not been vaccinated may become a "super spreader."
According to foreign media reports, Dr. Sai Reddy, an immunologist at the ETH Zurich, said in an interview that nowadays, "Delta", "Beta", "Gamma" and many other COVID-19 variants are spreading around the world. Spread, they may eventually combine to create a more deadly "super strain", which he called "Covid-22".
Reddy pointed out that recent scientific studies have shown that the "Delta" strain that is now raging in many countries has a very high viral load, which is one of the reasons why people who are vaccinated may still be infected with "Delta". However, he believes that the "Delta" variant is only a precursor to the emergence of more dangerous variants in the future. The "Covid-22" may be more contagious and more deadly than the "Delta" variant, which may lead to a new global pandemic. More dangerous stage.
Sage, a scientist organization that advises the British government, also stated in a paper published on July 30 that the possibility of becoming more deadly is "realistic" because the COVID-19 virus is still spreading at a high level globally. . According to Reddy, in this case, anyone who has not been vaccinated may become a "super spreader." Therefore, he reminded that everyone needs to prepare for the arrival of "Covid-22".
Reddy explained that among the mutant strains circulating today, the "beta" first discovered in South Africa and the "gamma" first discovered in Brazil have mutated to have the ability to partially evade neutralizing antibodies. The Delta virus, which has ravaged many countries, is highly contagious, but it does not have the ability to evade antibodies.
"Covid-22" experts who are more dangerous than Delta: If the virus continues to spread, a "super variant" of COVID-19 may appear next year. ↑ Research shows that during the second wave of outbreaks in South Africa, which is more affected by the "Beta" strain, The likelihood of people dying after being hospitalized has increased by about 30%. The picture shows a patient with COVID-19 pneumonia lying in a temporary ward in Pretoria, South Africa.
"If the'beta' or'gamma' virus is more contagious, or the'delta' virus mutates to evade antibodies, then we are talking about a new phase of the epidemic. This will become a big problem in the coming year." Covid-22' may be worse than what we are experiencing now." Reddy warned.
According to expert predictions, a new wave of "breakthrough infections" will arrive this fall, when the number of infections will again surge, and some countries may have to take severe restrictions again.
Reddy said that as multiple mutant viruses continue to spread, new variants are likely to appear again. In view of the characteristics of the current COVID-19 strain, as virus mutations continue to occur, the "Covid-22" virus is likely to have the ability to escape antibodies, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine. Therefore, he believes that in order to combat the evolving threat of the COVID-19 virus, a variety of COVID-19 vaccines must be prepared in the next few years.
In addition, he also said that now in Switzerland, the unvaccinated people between the ages of 10 and 29 have become the largest group of "Delta" infections. In the United States, the rapid increase in the number of children infected with the COVID-19 virus is also worrying. But because children under the age of 12 cannot be vaccinated, they have become a large group of potential "super spreaders." Reddy urged that all children should be vaccinated as soon as possible. There is sufficient evidence that the vaccine poses no threat to children under 12 years of age.
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