by Drew Kyla Baysa (Polyplex)
Despite having the longest and strictest lockdown in the world, COVID-19 cases in the Philippines continue to rise. On April 2, 2021, the country logged almost 15, 310 positive cases, its highest count since the onset of the pandemic in February 2020. This brings the total to 971, 049 cases, 16,370 of whom have already died as of April 22, 2021. New challenges arise as a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 was recently reported in Central Visayas last March 10, 2021.
The World Health Organization (WHO) raised the motion to declare the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a global pandemic on March 11, 2020, with over 115 million infections and 2.5 million deaths as of March 2, 2021. SARS-CoV-2’s unregulated global dissemination has resulted in several viral lineages circulating across the planet, with at least three (3) variants flagged as variants of concern—B.1.1.7 (United Kingdom), B1.351 (South Africa) and P.1 (Brazil). This alarmed citizens worldwide, concerned about the pathogenicity of the new strains.
Why are there new strains of SARS-CoV 2?
Viruses are constantly evolving because of genetic selection. Even the simplest RNA viruses, which have about 7,400 nucleotides per genome, produce mutants regularly, perhaps as much as once per genome copy. Viruses with the same mutations will develop a variant.
The N501Y mutation is present in all three VOCs, which has been related to increased transmissibility. Meanwhile, studies have found the E484K mutation in B1.351 and P.1 variants, which may influence vaccine efficacy.
What do we know about the new variant in the Philippines?
According to the Philippine Genome Center, a new COVID-19 variant officially designated as Lineage “P.3” was discovered in the Philippines on March 10, 2021. (PGC). The variant was discovered in local samples collected in Central Visayas on the same dates as a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases in the area.
PGC also reported that multiple mutations in the virus’s spike protein have been discovered in the identified variant, all of which are likely to have functional significance. The E484K, N501Y, and P681H mutations, in particular, have been linked to known SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, and, when combined with a three-amino-acid deletion at spike positions 141 to 143, have been linked to increased transmissibility and immune escape mutation linked to a reduction in the neutralizing function of vaccine-elicited antibodies in some studies.
Although the P3 variant found in the Philippines has these two mutations, Health Secretary Francisco Duque says it is still “not classified as a variant of concern” because “current available data are inadequate to conclude whether the variant would have major public health consequences.” Dr. Cynthia Saloma of the Philippine Genome Center also assured that it is less likely to have increased pathogenicity, but its mutation suggests that it is more transmissible.
Will the COVID-19 vaccine work on the new variant?
Some immune responses elicited by current vaccines may be less successful against some of the latest strains, according to new evidence from laboratory studies. A reduction in one aspect of the immune response does not mean that the vaccines will not provide defense.
Reported cases from Central Visayas proved the existence of these new variants from collected nasopharyngeal swabs from SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals. This virus continues to be an enemy, especially with its ability to mutate rapidly, affecting the lives of billions of people. There is still no sufficient data about the P3 variant however, it is still important to stay vigilant and follow precautions to avoid the virus. As long as SARS-CoV-2 continues to spread, mutation will take place. A foe for one and a foe for all.
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