The LA mutant virus was found to be spreading rapidly in California, including Los Angeles.
As with the mutant virus from the UK, it is known that it may be more contagious, and there is growing concern that the number of confirmed cases may increase again.
The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) announced on the 11th that the spread of the mutant virus’CAL 20C’, which was discovered in LA in July, is remarkably increasing.
According to the journal, 44% of new confirmed cases in Southern California were infected with the mutant virus. A third of the states were confirmed to be infected.
In addition,’CAL 20C’ is rapidly spreading not only in the United States but also in six countries around the world, the journal said.
According to the researchers, almost no’CAL 20C’ was confirmed around the beginning of October last year. However, a survey of 4,500 virus samples across Southern California from November to December of last year confirmed that 24% and 18% across the state were infected with the mutant virus.
Since then, between January 1st and 22nd, 44% of Southern California and 35% of the provinces have been infected, showing that it is gradually spreading within the state and local communities.
In addition, in Korea, the virus was confirmed in 19 states including New York, Arizona, and Nevada, and the virus appeared in six countries, including Australia, Denmark, and Israel, in addition to the United States.
A research team from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) stressed that “a more comprehensive approach and research is needed” on the mutant virus.
‘CAL 20C’ is a form in which a mutation occurs in the spike protein used when the virus binds to the host cell’s receptor.
The original mutation’L452R’, which was first reported in Denmark, is also’CAL 20C’. A virus with five mutations, including this mutation, is’CAL 20C’.
Experts explained that’CAL 20C’ differs from the previously known mutations originating in England (B.1.1.7) and mutations originating in South Africa (B.1.351).
However, he added that further research is still needed on whether CAL.20C is more contagious or more lethal than other viruses.
In this regard, last year, a research team at Howard University revealed that the mutation’L452R’ helps the virus to penetrate cells better. This means that the contagious power may be stronger than that of a normal virus.
Experts feared that’CAL 20C’ appeared when the number of newly infected patients in Southern California surged, and that it was not a good sign because it occupied a large proportion among newly confirmed cases.
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