New South African variant.

[Jocko]

Scientists are bricking themselves over a new variant of Covid which is circulating in one South African province. The variant is called B.1.1.529 and doesn't have a Latin descriptor at present. It has 50 mutations overall and more than 30 on the spike protein. Looks like it might have enhanced transmissibility and might also be able to get around parts of the immune system. I wonder how long it will take for the UK government to respond this time.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-59418127

[nowster]

If it did have a Latin descriptor, I'm sure Mr Johnson would ipso facto take more notice of it, as all the previous ones have had Greek letter descriptors.

[UKjim]

Apparently red list is being reinstated for some African countries.


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[richardfrost]

Yep they've moved fast on this one. Perfect timing. My eldest son's partner has flights booked to South Africa for Christmas. Not been home for two years. Looks like he won't be going this time too.

Just wish they'd acted this fast last year instead of allowing flights to and from everywhere for ages. Let's hope they can nip this one in the bud before it creates even more chaos.

[JimSh]

Yes . This time they have moved fast. Red list from tomorrow lunch time and those already on flights quarantined on arrival.
This is what they should have done first time round.(and with the Indian (Delta) variant)

https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/south-africa-red-list-covid-variant-b1964518.html

[nowster]

The mutation on the spike protein is the worrying thing, as that will reduce the effectiveness of current vaccines against it.

[Kremmen]

This virus is not going away anytime soon.

This new variant and the Anti-Vax brigade hopefully won't overwhelm the NHS again

[embee]

This one is truly worrying. It has the potential of tearing up the rule book altogether. Just when we were beginning to get a little complacent ............

[Jocko]

Great to see the government acting as they did and my stupidity, it is Greek (which I knew) and not Latin (which I wrote).

[JimSh]

Great to see the government acting as they did

Mibbes aye, mibbes naw....

Yes . This time they have moved fast. Red list from tomorrow lunch time and those already on flights quarantined on arrival.
This is what they should have done first time round.(and with the Indian (Delta) variant)

Apparently at least the second part didn't happen

https://twitter.com/AdamJSchwarz/status/1464150235714932742

[madasafish]

 :As the new variant has been found in Brussels, I assume it will be EU wide by now.

[JimSh]

Today's Indie Sage.
Discussion of South African variant begins about 12min 40s and then later during questions from the press and public beginning around 48min 10s

it is Greek (which I knew) and not Latin (which I wrote).

Seems it didn't stay  "nu" for long.
Now it's "omicron."

:As the new variant has been found in Brussels, I assume it will be EU wide by now.

Latest update
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/nov/26/omicron-covid-variant-spreads-europe

[culzean]

The mendacity and greed of big pharma ( yes I mean you Pfizer with your overpriced products ) never ceases to amaze me.  There is an existing anti-viral drug available for £0.05 per dose and Pfizer come up with a much less effective one for an eye watering £340 per dose... the difference is that Ivermectin is out of patent ( so not much money to be made ) but Pfizer have dreamed up a similar but less broadly acting one that they can patent and make huge profits out of gullible governments for the next 20 years.  Would not surprise me to find out that Pfizer were funding Wuhan lab to make a virus that they were already working on a vaccine for - loadsa money.....

[culzean]

 Why did WHO skip from Nu to Omicron,  missing out Xi - Oh yes mustn't upset the Chinese 

[UKjim]

Two cases now detected in the UK