Japanese researchers discovered a new variant of COVID-19 Delta variant

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Japanese researchers discovered a new variant of COVID-19 Delta variant

On August 31. According to a comprehensive Japanese media report on the 31st, a research team from Tokyo Medical and Dental University in Japan reported that Japan has discovered the “N501S” mutation of the new coronavirus delta strain for the first time. The research team pointed out that the mutation is likely to have occurred in Japan. There are only 8 reports of such mutations in Delta strains in the world.

Japanese researchers discovered a new variant of COVID-19 delta variant

The picture shows people traveling in Tokyo wearing masks.

According to the report, in mid-August, a Japanese patient diagnosed with COVID-19 was treated at the affiliated hospital of Tokyo Medical and Dental University. A research team at Tokyo Medical and Dental University collected a variant of the Delta strain from this patient. Through virus gene analysis, it is found that the virus has undergone “N501S” mutation.

Japanese researchers discovered a new variant of COVID-19 Delta variant.

新型コロナウイルスのデルタ株=国立感染症研究所提供（朝日新聞）

The report pointed out that there are only 8 reports of such mutations in the Delta strain worldwide. Since this is the first time that this mutant has been discovered in Japan, based on analysis of genetic characteristics and other analysis, the research team speculates that the mutation is likely to be completed in Japan.

The mutation of the Delta strain “N501S” is similar to the mutation of the Alpha strain “N501Y” originally discovered in the UK, but its infectivity has not been determined yet.

The research team pointed out that “the Alpha strain may increase the infection rate twice and increase the risk of severe illness and death. Because the’N501S’ variant is similar to the’N501Y’ variant, it cannot be ruled out that this variant strain is the same as the Alpha strain. Possibility of characteristics.”

Associate Professor Takeuchi Hiroaki of Tokyo Medical and Dental University said that as the infection range of the epidemic continues to expand, “new variants may appear in Japan one after another, so it is necessary to take measures to control the infection. It is also necessary to expand the virus surveillance system for gene analysis.”

The COVID-19 epidemic in Japan is still severe. According to reports, as of 21:30 on the 30th local time, there were 1,915 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Tokyo, and 13,638 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Japan.

(source:internet, reference only)

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