A new variant of SARS-CoV-2 or coronavirus, which
shares various similarities with its South African variant, is rising at an
alarming rate in New York City, researchers said on Wednesday. This new variant is called B.1.526, reported Reuters.

According to researchers at Columbia University
Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, the new COVID-19 variant was first
discovered in November in samples collected in New York and about 12% cases of
it was represented in the region by mid-February.

Also Read: UK, South African variant of coronavirus: What experts know so far

The researchers further added that the examination of publicly
available database also highlights surging cases of this new variant.

“Instead we found high numbers of this home-grown lineage,” Reuters quoted Dr. Anne-Catrin Uhlemann, assistant professor in the division of infectious diseases at Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons as saying.

Also Read: New COVID-19 strain found in Britain deadlier than the original virus: Boris Johnson

The prime concern in these new variants is altercation in the area of a coronavirus protein spike, called E484K. This spike is present in all the three variants. The E484K mutation is believed to weaken the body’s immune response to the virus.

The Columbia study revealed that new variant B.1.526
and South African, Brazilian variant have some worrying factors in common with
many studies suggesting that these new variants are more resilient to existing
vaccines.

Also Read: Europe’s race to COVID-19 vaccine manufacture must speed up to science: EU chief

Another study conducted by the California Institute of Technology also gives insights on this new variant. However, none of these observations were reviewed by outside experts.

However, experts suggest that it is natural for viruses to change over time and various pharma corporations are in process to build a strong response mechanism against these new variants, Moderna being a case in point.