Some two thousand cases have already been registered in the country. Fauci assured that the government is following this new variant of COVID-19 very closely.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has listed the new variant of COVID-19, known as Mu, as a “variant of interest” that has already spread to Colombia, Chile, Peru, Korea, parts of the United States and Europe.
It is the fifth variant of interest monitored by the highest medical body worldwide. It was first identified in Colombia in January 2021. Since then, it has spread to South Korea, Canada, Europe, Japan and various parts of Latin America according to the WHO. In Colombia, Peru and Chile it is the predominant variant.
At least two thousand cases of this variant have been recorded in the United States, according to data from the global shared data initiative on influenza. The states in which these cases have been registered are California, Florida, Texas and New York.
In South America and South Korea, those who contracted the Mu variant and were vaccinated against COVID-19 had moderate to mild cases, similar to what happens with the other variants, according to the health authorities of those countries.
In the United States, the effectiveness of vaccines in this variant is being studied, but there is still not enough data to give an opinion on this. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the main infection expert for the United States government, confirmed that the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) “is following the Mu variant very closely.” It is known that, as has happened with other variants, Mu is easier to spread. Fauci himself confirmed that they have data indicating that this variant may be stronger than some antibodies, although at the moment the vaccines appear to be effective.
In any case, what continues to be of concern in the country is the Delta variant, which represents 99% of cases at this time. Given current conditions, it is highly unlikely that the Mu variant or other variants will outperform the Delta.
Daily coronavirus infections in the country increased by 316% compared to daily infections that were recorded during the Labor Day weekend last year (which is being celebrated in the United States today). As expected, deaths also increased, albeit at a slower pace. Today, compared to a year ago, there are twice as many deaths as a result of COVID-19.
The authorities insist that this new aggressive wave is due to the Delta variant and the fact that still a high percentage of the nation has not been vaccinated despite the fact that for months vaccines have been available without restrictions for all those over 12 years.
Hospitalizations were up 158% from a year ago, according to the Federal Department of Health and Human Services. In some hospitals, the situation is so complicated that there is a lack of space in intensive care. “Very soon the doctors are going to have to start making very difficult decisions,” Fauci said from the weekly press conference.
The vast majority (over 95 percent), those hospitalized are people who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
