Understanding the new COVID-19 variants and how to combat them

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a new turn with the emergence of various variants of the virus, causing concern and challenges for healthcare systems worldwide. More than 20 African countries have confirmed the presence of the new COVID-19 variant that was first detected in India last year. However, there is a concern that the new variants cannot easily be tracked as the testing required to identify them is widely unavailable on the continent. Dr. Nicksy Gumede-Moeletsi, Regional Virologist at WHO Regional Office for Africa, shed light on the situation in a recent interview with CNBC Africa. Dr. Gumede-Moeletsi highlighted the importance of understanding and combating these new variants to control the spread of COVID-19. The new COVID-19 variants, including the one first identified in India, have raised questions about their transmissibility and the effectiveness of vaccines against them. According to Dr. Gumede-Moeletsi, the variant detected in India has been associated with a higher transmissibility and reduced neutralization of antibodies, possibly contributing to the devastating second wave in India. However, studies have shown that vaccines play a crucial role in controlling the spread of these variants. Countries that have rolled out vaccines tailored to the specific variant have seen a decrease in the severity and hospitalization rates of COVID-19 cases. One of the main concerns highlighted by Dr. Gumede-Moeletsi is the behavior of individuals in response to the pandemic. Despite pandemic fatigue, adherence to social measures such as hand hygiene, social distancing, and mask-wearing remains essential in controlling the variants' spread. Dr. Gumede-Moeletsi emphasized the need for public cooperation to combat not only the current variant but also future mutations of the virus. In terms of testing capability, Dr. Gumede-Moeletsi addressed the diagnostic challenges associated with identifying new variants. While Africa has made significant progress in increasing its capacity for genomic sequencing to detect mutations, there are still limitations in fully characterizing the variants. Specific PCR tests designed for variant identification are needed to confirm the presence of a mutation. The region has seen improvements in sequencing capacity since the end of 2020, with more countries investing in sequencing data to track and understand the evolution of the virus. Regarding immunity from previous COVID-19 infection, Dr. Gumede-Moeletsi clarified that individuals who have recovered do not have lifelong immunity. Studies have shown that the immunity developed after infection may only last for a few months, leaving individuals susceptible to reinfection after a certain period. This underscores the importance of vaccination to boost immunity and protect against new variants. As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve with the emergence of new variants, it is crucial for countries to enhance their testing and sequencing capabilities, promote public health measures, and prioritize vaccination efforts tailored to the specific variants circulating in each region. The collaboration between healthcare authorities, scientists, and the public will be essential in overcoming the challenges posed by the new COVID-19 variants.