2020 on Repeat and COVID Hitting Full Swing.
Written by: Sushrita Rakshit
“New Covid Strain may dominate the U.S by March.”
The first case of the new COVID-19 B.1.1.7. strain was detected in the United Kingdom. Countries that were just deemed free of curfews were once again forced to go into lockdown. This new “superstrain” has forced England, Ireland, and Wales to go into complete lockdown due to overflowing hospitals, increasing cases, and now poses a threat to internationalists as well (“CDC: New COVID Strain”). |
The new strain was first identified in the U.S on December 28th, 2020 in Colorado. What’s strange about this newly detected case is that the patient claimed they had no travel history over the quarantine period. Experts deduced that it was likely the result of widespread contact, indicating that many would already have been infected. However, there is speculation that the case may have spread through the National Guard soldiers who were deployed abroad in Simla, Colorado. This, of course, makes it exceedingly difficult for experts to determine where this virus gained entry into the U.S (“A more contagious coronavirus strain has been found”).
As of January 15th, 2021, there were only 76 cases of the new COVID superstrain detected within the U.S. However, this new superstrain is considered to be far more contagious than others and has easily doubled the number of cases since the transmission rate with this strain is anywhere from 50% to 70% higher (“New coronavirus variant could become dominant strain”, “New coronavirus variant”). To make matters more complicated, the current vaccines from companies such as Pfizer and Moderna will only take slightly effective measures against this B.1.1.7. strain and must be updated to provide a solution (“New coronavirus variants could cause more reinfections”). The new variant is also causing hospitals to overflow and U.S citizens are being forced to question once again: will our state go on a full lockdown?
As of January 15th, 2021, there were only 76 cases of the new COVID superstrain detected within the U.S. However, this new superstrain is considered to be far more contagious than others and has easily doubled the number of cases since the transmission rate with this strain is anywhere from 50% to 70% higher (“New coronavirus variant could become dominant strain”, “New coronavirus variant”). To make matters more complicated, the current vaccines from companies such as Pfizer and Moderna will only take slightly effective measures against this B.1.1.7. strain and must be updated to provide a solution (“New coronavirus variants could cause more reinfections”). The new variant is also causing hospitals to overflow and U.S citizens are being forced to question once again: will our state go on a full lockdown?
From thereon out, cases have been reported in a variety of states such as Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, and New York: all states that are, geographically, far apart on the map. Not only that, but on an international level, this variant has been detected in a total of 33 separate countries. Despite harsh lockdown protocols and traveling restrictions occurring throughout the globe, we can’t help but wonder the inundated questions that come with this new strain: how exactly did this new strain originate, and what new health threats does it pose to the general public? (“A more contagious coronavirus strain has been found”). What measures do we need to take? How do we combat this?
But here’s what we can do: follow the current CDC guidelines! (cdc.gov)
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Credit:
Sources -
https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/20210115/cdc-new-covid-strain-may-dominate-us-by-march
https://www.statnews.com/2021/01/15/covid19-b117-variant-cdc/
https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/01/new-coronavirus-variants-could-cause-more-reinfections-require-updated-vaccines
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2021/01/02/new-covid-strain-b-117-explained/4112125001/
https://www.bbc.com/news/health-55388846
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Images -
https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/20210107/new-covid-super-strains-could-disrupt-life-again
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/contact-tracing/contact-tracing-plan/contact-tracing.html
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/12/28/us-confirms-first-case-of-the-new-covid-strain-discovered-in-uk-.html
Sources -
https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/20210115/cdc-new-covid-strain-may-dominate-us-by-march
https://www.statnews.com/2021/01/15/covid19-b117-variant-cdc/
https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/01/new-coronavirus-variants-could-cause-more-reinfections-require-updated-vaccines
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2021/01/02/new-covid-strain-b-117-explained/4112125001/
https://www.bbc.com/news/health-55388846
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Images -
https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/20210107/new-covid-super-strains-could-disrupt-life-again
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/contact-tracing/contact-tracing-plan/contact-tracing.html
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/12/28/us-confirms-first-case-of-the-new-covid-strain-discovered-in-uk-.html