Five genetic variants and six mutational patterns of SARS-CoV-2, the pathogen that causes Covid-19, are circulating in Cuba today, health authorities reported. The research director of the Pedro Kourí Tropical Medicine Institute, María Guadalupe Guzmán, said that a population study carried out between December 28, 2020 and March 28, 2021, identified the presence of variants of the virus different from Group G, initially reported and still predominant.
' Four changes and five mutational patterns were detected in imported cases, while for autochthonous cases, we found a decrease over time of the D614G variant and a gradual increase of the one reported in South Africa and California, United States,' said the expert.
In a recent exchange between President Miguel Diaz-Canel and scientists and specialists dedicated to the fight against Covid-19 in the Caribbean nation, Guzman explained that Havana, Mayabeque and Pinar del Rio provinces show the highest number of these modifications of the coronavirus.
He pointed out that this increase in the appearance of variants was initially greater in patients coming from abroad, but little by little they reached the Cuban population.
' Although in our country, the one that still predominates is the Clade G group, others of the SARS-CoV-2, particularly the one identified in South Africa, show an advantage from the evolutionary point of view, and could replace the first one', he said.
He also said that some have spread easier and faster, which is related to the occurrence of more Covid-19 infections in the country.
This could be a factor that justifies the increase in the number of cases, especially in the last month', he emphasized.
According to the latest epidemiological update of the Pan American Health Organization, at least one of the three variants, a cause for concern in the continent, were identified in 32 countries of the Americas: B.1.1.7, reported for the first time in the United Kingdom; B.1.351 in South Africa, and B.1.1.28.1 found in Brazil.
All of them can increase the transmissibility and virulence of SARS-CoV-2 or reduce the effectiveness of social and public health measures, diagnostics, vaccines and treatments, although there is still much to learn about them," the report of the regional entity refers.
In view of the current epidemiological situation in Cuba, with more than 1,000 daily cases reported in eight consecutive days, government authorities announced for the coming weeks the implementation of a group of measures aimed at controlling the resurgence of the pandemic.
Source: Radio Holguín