New coronavirus variant detected in Rio de Janeiro state

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – A new strain of the novel coronavirus, originated from the B.1.1.28, was detected in the city of Porto Real, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, near the border with the state of São Paulo.

Named P.5, it shares the same structure of the original strain, but suffered mutations in the spike protein, as the crown of the virus that attaches to cells is known. The information was released yesterday, June 22, by the State Department of Health (SES).

“Nineteen cases of the same variant have already been located in the state of São Paulo and, so far, it is not possible to say that it is more lethal or transmissible,” the secretariat said in a statement.

Detection occurred thanks to the genomic monitoring of the Corona-Ômica-RJ Network. The study is part of a partnership between the Health Secretariat, the Research Support Foundation of the State of Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ), the National Laboratory for Scientific Computing (LNCC), the Laboratory of Molecular Virology of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), the Noel Nutels Central Laboratory of Fiocruz, the Municipal Health Secretariat of Rio de Janeiro, and the Getúlio Vargas Foundation (FGV).

The monitoring data also show that the P.1 strain (Brazil) continues to be the most prevalent in the state. In addition, a low frequency of the VOC B.1.1.7 (United Kingdom) and the decline of the P.2, since November last year, have been recorded.

The Health Department stressed that, irrespective of the virus strain or lineage, prevention measures and methods of diagnosis and treatment of Covid-19 remain the same. Thus, there is no change in the health measures adopted such as mask use, hand sanitizing and washing. The secretariat recalls that preventing crowds is also required.

“In addition, it is important that municipalities continue advancing in the vaccination process against Covid-19 and that the population returns to receive the second dose. Only this way will it be possible to achieve the vaccine’s full efficacy. Studies show that all vaccines available in Brazil are effective against the variants identified so far,” the note concluded.

Source: Exame