These days, many countries of the world seem to be falling prey to the new variant of Corona, FLiRT. There has been a sudden surge in infection cases in the United States, Singapore, and India in the last month. According to media reports, at present the maximum number of infected people of this new variant has been identified in Singapore. In India, too, many states have been alerted about the increasing threat of Corona. The number of infected people is highest here in Maharashtra and West Bengal.
The study regarding this new variant of Corona is still in the initial stages. According to preliminary reports, some mutations have emerged in the spike protein of the new variant which makes it capable of easily entering the body and increasing infection. It is worth noting that since the beginning of this year, Corona cases have been quite stable across the world, so the big question is why the infection has suddenly started increasing.
Cases increased by 90 percent in 15 days
The number of coronavirus infections reported by Singapore's Ministry of Health (MOH) for the week of May 5 to 11 was more than 25,900, a 90% increase from 13,700 cases the previous week. For most of the cases, the Filarte variant (KP.2) is considered to be the main cause. The number of infected people in Singapore was quite stable during February-March, then how did this new variant suddenly start increasing?
Let us know what reasons epidemiologists hold responsible for this.
What do epidemiologists say?
Thomas A. Russo, head of infectious diseases at the University of Buffalo in New York, said that many factors could be responsible for the sudden increase in coronavirus cases. The most important reason is that viruses keep mutating continuously to maintain their existence. Not only Corona, this is a process that happens with all viruses. The basic form of Corona also keeps changing continuously. The new variant Filart is also an updated form of Omicron, due to mutation some changes are being seen in its spike protein which is changing its form.
Increasing number of immunocompromised people
Apart from this, another reason for the increase in infection could also be the increasing number of people with weak immunity across the world. More cases of decreased immunity against corona are being seen in the young population, due to which our sensitivity to the new wave is increasing. The effectiveness of vaccines decreases over time, it has been a long time since most people had their last vaccine, which is leading to a surge in cases of infection once again. In some studies, scientists have also been recommending annual vaccination of COVID-19 vaccines like flu to reduce such risks.
The gap in vaccine coverage
Epidemiologists say the third reason for increasing cases of coronainfection is considered to be the age of vaccine coverage. Only 22.6% of adults have received a COVID-19 vaccine since September 2023, according to CDC data. The data also shows that vaccination coverage has increased by age, with people aged 75 and older getting more vaccinations during this period. Therefore, protection system against corona is being seen among the elderly but there is a lack of immunity among the youth. According to recent reports of Corona, the young population is seen to be the biggest victim of the new variants.
(PC: ISTOCK)
