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A new mutation of coronavirus is also spreading in Austria. The delta subspecies AY 4.2, or “delta plus,” is causing concern among experts.
The new coronavirus mutant AY.4.2 is a sub-variant of the delta virus, which currently dominates infection in Europe. It is currently spreading mainly in Great Britain, where AY.4.2 is already responsible for one in ten new infections. The mutant is said to be up to 15 percent more infectious than previous variants. But “Delta Plus” has also already made it to Austria. According to “Kronen Zeitung,” more than 30 cases have already been discovered.
In Israel, an emerged case in an eleven-year-old boy has already caused an emergency meeting of the government, tightening measures have already been announced. However, the recent massive increase in the number of cases in Austria cannot be explained by the new mutation, because the previous mutations continue to dominate in this country. Nevertheless, experts are worried because the new variant is even more infectious than the previous mutations.
Delta (1,617.2) was already far more infectious than the alpha variant (B1.1.7), namely around 50 to 60 percent more infectious, and was able to largely displace it. Now “Delta Plus” is expected to increase the infectiousness by another 15 percent. “Two mutations are found in the spike protein, but outside the receptor binding site. Whether/how this changes the virus properties is unclear,” said virologist Andreas Bergthaler, describing the new Corona variant.
Austria already suffered a Corona shock in new infections on Wednesday, with a total of 3,727 new infections and 13 deaths in the 24 hours prior. In comparison, a week ago, on October 13, there had been 2,614 Corona cases; Austria has not recorded more than now for months. Currently, 962 people are in hospital treatment due to the Corona virus. Of these, 218 are being cared for in intensive care units.
-source kurier.at/picture:pixabay.com
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