A new variant of coronavirus AY.4.2 has been detected in Russia. According to Kamil Khafizov, head of research group on development of new methods for diagnostics of human diseases at Central Research Institute of Epidemiology of Rospotrebnadzor, reports RIA Novosti.
Khafizov said that this variant has already been detected in isolated cases on Russian territory. He explained that variant AY.4.2 is just one of many "delta" strains that may have some advantages over the original and other versions of the virus. How much more infectious this strain is, it is still difficult to say, the expert added.
At the same time, the expert stressed that the probability of spread of variant AY.4.2 in Russia and the world is "sufficient." Nevertheless, he added that experts do not hold this particular subline responsible for the large number of daily cases of COVID-19 infection in various countries.
On October 19 it became known that a new form of coronavirus began to spread in Great Britain. Experts speculate that strain AY.4.2 may be the most infectious form detected since the pandemic began.
The new variation of the coronavirus has reportedly only been seen in the United Kingdom, where it has infected about 10 percent of all COVID-19 patients in the country. However, a case of AY.4.2 has already been reported in Israel as well as in the United States.
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