A new variant of the coronavirus, now being known as B.1.526, is spreading across New York City causing concerns among healthcare professionals in the city. Researchers from Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons on Wednesday said that the variant B.1.526 was first identified in Covid-19 samples collected in New York in November. Up until last week, the B.1.526 variant was seen in 12% of cases. The variant has also caused concerns among researchers regarding how it might affect the vaccination process as some variants, including the B.1.526, could be resistant to vaccines. Several studies claim that the Covid-19 vaccines provide immunity from severe illness and protect against mutations of Sars-Cov-2.

Source: Hindustan Times February 25, 2021 03:20 UTC