We knew the UK (Alpha), South-African (Beta), Brazilian (Gamma), and Indian (Delta) variants. But a new strain has broke out: the Colombian variant. At this stage, we do not know a lot about this new mutation. But the Colombian variant has killed seven people in a rest home in Belgium in only two weeks. Why are the authorities worried? The seven people who died were vaccinated against Covid-19. “We have no idea how the virus entered the service”, Kathleen Boydens, head of care at the Ter Burg nursing home, said.
Interviewed by RTBF, virologist Marc Van Ranst said this variant has been spotted for the first time in Belgium in late June, “but in a very small proportion”, the expert added. Since it broke out, about twenty clusters related to the Colombian variant have been reported.
Still according to the virologist, “an investigation led in England has shows this variant is not more pathogenic than those we already know, but it is still too soon to make definitive statements”.
Other Covid-19 variants are being thoroughly monitored such as the one called Lambda. Spotted in late 2020 in Peru, this variant actively spreads in several south American countries, and is more resistant to the vaccine.
