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The Ministry of Health,
following information received by the European Centre for Disease Prevention
and Control (ECDC) for the results of the sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 virus
strains in positive samples that were conducted in a specialized laboratory
abroad, informs that virus
variants were detected in 170 samples. The samples relate to
positive cases traced between
9 March and 11 June.
More specifically, the
following results emerge from the 170 samples:
- The B.1.1.7 strain
(British strain) was detected in 158 samples.
- The Β.1.617.2
strain (Indian strain – “Delta” variant) was detected in five (5) samples.
The five samples identified with the Indian strain relate to positive cases
sampled on 25 April (one sample), 20 May (two samples), 21 May (one sample)
and 26 May (one sample).
- The Β.1.525 strain
was detected in seven (70 samples. According to ECDC this strain is a variant
of interest and not a variant of concern such as the British, South African,
Brazilian and Indian variants. At the moment, there is no scientific evidence
that this variant causes more serious illness or increases contagiousness,
however, competent organisations, internationally, are closely monitoring its
development.
The fact that out of 143
samples taken during the period 3-16 May, the Indian strain was detected in 2
(1.4%), and that out of 44 samples taken during the period 17-30 May, the
Indian strain was detected in 4 (9.1%), shows an increase in the presence of the Indian strain
in Cyprus, although this has to be confirmed through more
samplings in order to draw safer conclusions.
The presence of the Indian
mutation in the community has already begun to affect the epidemiological
indicators in our country with the increase of positive cases, but also of
hospitalizations, mainly of individuals under 40 years of age.
As the ECDC points out, the “Delta” variant is expected to dominate in Europe
in the following period, and this sounds warning alarm for the increase of
spread and of cases of serious illness, especially among young individuals.
The only way to prevent the emergence of new
invasive strains and their spread in the community is through vaccination.
The scientific community noting that in order to have the maximum desired
effectiveness of vaccination, the
vaccination scheme needs to be completed with the
administration of both doses in cases of double-dose vaccines.
(EK)
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