A New COVID Variant Sparks Panic, While Mostly Unvaccinated Africa Has Low Death Rates
Posted on 11/26/2021
There is a new COVID variant in South Africa (B.1.1.529 strain). The new variant contains more mutations to the spike protein, the component of the coronavirus that binds to cells, than the highly contagious COVID-19 delta variant. The new Omicron variant features roughly 50 mutations. Comparatively, the delta strain has just two mutations to the receptor binding domain. In the Greek alphabet, the World Health Organization skipped over the letters Nu and Xi for naming the new COVID variant of concern. Some believe that Xi might offend the Chinese nation over the name of its president.
Institutional investors, hedge funds, retail investors, and pensions are likely considering what impact this new variant will have on markets, as some health officials warn that the new variant could breakthrough current COVID mRNA vaccines (alpha and beta).
In response to this development, the United Kingdom temporarily suspended flights from six African countries due to the variant propagation. The European Union also imposed restrictions on those countries Israel ceased travel to several African nations after reporting one case in a traveler. U.S. President Joe Biden will restrict travel from South Africa and seven other countries starting Monday. The Biden administration will restrict travel from South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, and Malawi.
Africa
Africa has far lower COVID deaths per capita than highly-vaccinated COVID countries in the West, according to numerous government statistics. Fewer than 6% of people in Africa are vaccinated. Sub-Saharan Africa also has a younger demographic and the climate of Africa is warmer than Europe and North America. In Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has recorded nearly 2,974 deaths so far among its 200 million population. According to the CDC, COVID deaths on U.S. death certificates in 2020 were 385,343 and in 2021 so far are at 382,861. 15.8% of all U.S. COVID deaths are in nursing home or long-term care facilities and 75% of deaths in the U.S. are for people 65 years and older, according to the same CDC data.
WESTERN COUNTRIES: Definition of Fully-Vaccinated is Likely to Change
A debate is emerging around what it means to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, as some U.S. state and local officials argue to change the definition. There are also constitutional challenges and a large section of various country populations that do not want to partake in COVID vaccinations. Two shots of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID mRNA vaccine (or the J&J single shot) was the test to become fully vaccinated and enjoy extra privileges in some cities like eating at restaurants and attending concerts in th U.S. U.S. health officials and other government are considering mandating boosters to achieve a fully-vaccinated status of COVID – something many public officials denied for months. Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont said publicly last week that he thinks booster shots are needed to qualify a person as fully vaccinated.
“Right now, officially, fully vaccinated equals two shots of the mRNA and one shot of the J&J, but without a doubt that could change,” White House chief medical advisor Anthony Fauci told Reuters in an interview. “That’s on the table for discussion.”
Merck Pill Looks Less Effective than Touted
Based on updated data, Merck & Co disclosed new information its study of its experimental COVID-19 pill showed the drug was significantly less effective in preventng hospitalizations and deaths than previously reported. Merck & Co said its pill showed a 30% reduction in hospitalizations and deaths, based on data from 1,433 patients. In October 2021, its data nL1N2QX0QJ showed an approximate 50% efficacy, based on data from 775 patients. The drug, Molnupiravir, was created with partner Ridgeback Biotherapeutics. Pfizer Inc., a competitor of Merck, has interim data from 1,200 test subjects. Pfizer’s trial for its experimental pill, Paxlovid, showed an 89% reduction in hospitalizations and deaths.