Why is the new strain of coronavirus more transmissible?

First Minister Mark Drakeford during a Welsh Government coronavirus press conference — First Minister Mark Drakeford was joined by Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Jones, on Monday, December 21.

Wales’ Deputy Chief Medical Officer has explained what makes the new strain of Covid-19 more transmissible.

The strain has been blamed for a rapid increase in cases in recent weeks, which lead to Wales entering an Alert Level 4 lockdown on Sunday, December 20.

Addressing the public together, Professor Chris Jones and First Minister Mark Drakeford said the new strain of the virus is far more transmissible than previous strains, leaving the government no choice but to impose stricter measures over the Christmas period.

Responding to a question from Caerphilly Observer, asking what makes the new strain more transmissible, Professor Jones said: “We don’t know for certain, but we have no evidence that this strain lasts longer in the atmosphere or on surfaces or is resistant to hand washing.

What will Wales’ new coronavirus alert levels look like?

“What we do know is that two of the changes in this virus are in the spike protein area. It is this area which binds the virus to human cells.

“This accounts for a greater stickiness to human cells so when it comes into contact it is more likely to bind to it.

“We also believe there are reasons why the genetic material in the virus can more easily enter the cell, and as a result there is more emerging evidence that people who have this variant have a higher viral load and therefore may give off more virus.”

How has the virus mutated?

It is common for viruses to mutate and develop different strains. There’s already been a number of mutations to Covid-19 since the virus was first transmitted to humans in Wuhan, China last year.

It is believed that this variant emerged in a patient with a weakened immune system, and instead of fighting the virus, their body became a breeding ground, allowing it to mutate.

What makes it more transmissible?

Covid-19 cells are covered in arm-like spikes called ‘spike proteins’. In the new variant, these proteins are more sticky and bind to human cells more easily.

As they are bound with more stability, genetic material in the virus can spread into human cells with more ease.

This is why evidence suggests the new variant has a higher viral load.

How much more contagious is it?

On Saturday, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the latest data suggests the new strain is 70% more transmissible.

Wales’ Deputy Chief Medical Officer has now confirmed this, adding that if it becomes the dominant strain, it could increase the R-rate by 0.4.

Is this strain in Caerphilly County Borough?

We don’t know for certain, but it is highly likely.

There are believed to be at least 600 cases of the new strain across Wales, with a higher concentration in South East Wales, however that number is likely to be far higher.

If I test positive, will I be told which strain of the virus I have?

No. Today the Deputy Chief Medical Officer confirmed that those who test positive will not be told which strain of Covid-19 they have.

It is not currently possible to assess which strain of the virus is present in every case. Instead, a sample of positive tests are sent for assessment at specialist laboratories.

Will this variant make me more ill?

There is no evidence to suggest that this mutation of the virus will make people sicker than the pre-existing strains.

Will vaccines work against this new strain?

Almost certainly. There is so far no evidence to suggest the vaccines currently in production will not work against this strain.

Scientists have voiced concerns that the virus may continue to adapt in the future, like the flu virus mutates annually.

Fortunately, the vaccines currently in production are believed to be easy to ‘tweak’ in order to combat different mutation.

Should I do anything differently?

The Chief Medical Officer said there is no evidence that the virus lasts longer on surfaces, on hands, or in the air.

Therefore, the Welsh Government’s advice remains the same as before: stay home, don’t mix with other people, wear a face covering and wash your hands regularly.

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