Highly Mutant Covid C.1.2 Variant Found, Worse Than Delta Variant

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic isn't over yet and the new highly mutated Covid C.1.2 strain discovered in South Africa is testimony to how dangerously the virus can adapt to bypass vaccines when the world decides to "reopen" prematurely.

The C.1.2 variant has been termed the world's most mutated variant since the beginning of the pandemic. When vaccines showed up last year, scientists warned that the jabs are not a one-off solution to the pandemic and urged people to continue exercising caution even after inoculation.

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The coronavirus has natural capabilities to mutate as per its surroundings. Its goal is to survive, just like all pathogens and creatures on Earth, and for this very reason it continues to take on new infectious properties and poses dangers in regions with high population density like India.

What is the new Covid C.1.2 variant?

The new variant of coronavirus has been identified as a potential Variant of Interest (VOI) and is part of the PANGO lineage C.1.2. The variant was identified by scientists from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) along with the KwaZulu-Natal Research and Sequencing Platform (KRISP) in South Africa.

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Where has new Covid C.1.2 variant been detected?

So far, the C.1.2 has been found by authorities in China, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mauritius, England, New Zealand, Portugal and Switzerland.

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What does the new Covid C.1.2 mutation mean?

A study pending peer review on MedRxiv explains how C.1.2's substantial mutation has moved farther away from the characteristics of the original virus lineage which caused the first wave of infections in South Africa and the world.

Also read: Scientists Create Face Mask That Kills 80% Coronavirus In 8 Hours

Why is the Covid C.1.2 mutation scary?

If a virus mutates beyond a certain point, the current vaccines may show lower efficacy or may not provide protection at all. The only way to prevent mutation is by accelerating vaccination and inducing herd immunity, which seems unlikely at this point due to vaccine inequity around the world.

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In addition, the C.1.2 lineage has a mutation rate of 41.8 mutations each year - almost twice as high as the current variants' ability to mutate. The mutation is also on the same trajectory of Beta and Delta variants in South Africa in terms of genome sequencing.

Also read: Tears Of COVID Positive Patients Could Be A Source Of Coronavirus Infection, Finds New Study

Will vaccines protect you against new Covid C.1.2 variant?

The best defence against Covid-19 is vaccines - whichever one is available in your region. However, the mutations "N440K" and "Y449H" that are known to have escaped antibodies have been spotted in C.1.2 variant sequences, implying that vaccines may not have a robust protection against the new variant.

What can you do to stay safe?

Practice basic hygiene by washing your hands regularly, especially before and after meals. In addition, continue to wear a tight fitting mask even if you're fully vaccinated. Highly infectious variants don't take too long to spread, as seen in India's devastating second wave of Covid earlier this year caused by the Delta variant.