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Coronavirus Briefing: What Happened Today Coronavirus Briefing: What Happened Today
(about 3 hours later)
This is the Coronavirus Briefing, an informed guide to the pandemic. Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox.This is the Coronavirus Briefing, an informed guide to the pandemic. Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox.
The world’s known Covid death toll passed four million.The world’s known Covid death toll passed four million.
Africa recorded its “worst pandemic week” yet, with cases surging and vaccines scarce, the W.H.O. said.Africa recorded its “worst pandemic week” yet, with cases surging and vaccines scarce, the W.H.O. said.
California’s Capitol building revived a mask rule after an outbreak infected four fully vaccinated people.California’s Capitol building revived a mask rule after an outbreak infected four fully vaccinated people.
Get the latest updates here, as well as maps and a vaccine tracker.Get the latest updates here, as well as maps and a vaccine tracker.
In recent weeks, headlines and social media posts have begun to sound the alarm about the Lambda variant, which was first detected in Peru late last year. The variant has spread quickly throughout Latin America, and the W. H. O. designated it a “variant of interest,” meaning that experts suspect it could be more dangerous than the original strain. In recent weeks, headlines and social media posts have begun to sound the alarm about the Lambda variant, which was first detected in Peru late last year. The variant has spread quickly throughout Latin America, and the W.H.O. designated it a “variant of interest,” meaning that experts suspect it could be more dangerous than the original strain.
But there’s still a lot of mystery surrounding the variant, and the level of risk it poses. Here’s what we know and don’t know about Lambda.But there’s still a lot of mystery surrounding the variant, and the level of risk it poses. Here’s what we know and don’t know about Lambda.
Where it’s shown up: As of mid-June, Lambda had been reported in 29 countries, territories or areas. In Peru, the variant has been detected in 81 percent of coronavirus samples sequenced since April, according to the W.H.O. In Chile, it has been detected in 31 percent of samples tested to date. Isolated cases have also been reported in a number of other countries. In the U.S., it has accounted for less than 1 percent of samples.Where it’s shown up: As of mid-June, Lambda had been reported in 29 countries, territories or areas. In Peru, the variant has been detected in 81 percent of coronavirus samples sequenced since April, according to the W.H.O. In Chile, it has been detected in 31 percent of samples tested to date. Isolated cases have also been reported in a number of other countries. In the U.S., it has accounted for less than 1 percent of samples.
The mutations: Lambda contains eight notable mutations. Some of these mutations are present in other variants and may make the virus more infectious or help it evade the body’s immune response.The mutations: Lambda contains eight notable mutations. Some of these mutations are present in other variants and may make the virus more infectious or help it evade the body’s immune response.
Whether it can evade vaccines: Preliminary laboratory studies offer both concern and reassurance. In these studies, research teams found that antibodies induced by the Pfizer, Moderna and CoronaVac vaccines are less powerful against Lambda than against the original strain, but that they are still able to neutralize the virus. Antibodies are also not the body’s only defense against the virus. Even if they’re less potent against Lambda, other components of the immune system, like T cells, may also provide protection. Scientists said that the findings from these studies suggested that these vaccines should still work against Lambda.Whether it can evade vaccines: Preliminary laboratory studies offer both concern and reassurance. In these studies, research teams found that antibodies induced by the Pfizer, Moderna and CoronaVac vaccines are less powerful against Lambda than against the original strain, but that they are still able to neutralize the virus. Antibodies are also not the body’s only defense against the virus. Even if they’re less potent against Lambda, other components of the immune system, like T cells, may also provide protection. Scientists said that the findings from these studies suggested that these vaccines should still work against Lambda.
Potency: After revising its death count in late May, Peru now has one of the highest death tolls for its population in the world. That has led some people to speculate that Lambda may be the culprit. However, Peru’s surge and high death toll may have more to do with the country’s deep-rooted inequality and fragile heath care system. We still don’t know whether Lambda causes more severe forms of Covid-19 than other variants.Potency: After revising its death count in late May, Peru now has one of the highest death tolls for its population in the world. That has led some people to speculate that Lambda may be the culprit. However, Peru’s surge and high death toll may have more to do with the country’s deep-rooted inequality and fragile heath care system. We still don’t know whether Lambda causes more severe forms of Covid-19 than other variants.
Transmissibility: As with several other variants, the preliminary results indicate that Lambda binds more tightly to cells than the original strain of the virus does, which may make it more transmissible. But more research is needed.Transmissibility: As with several other variants, the preliminary results indicate that Lambda binds more tightly to cells than the original strain of the virus does, which may make it more transmissible. But more research is needed.
Despite the worry, no evidence so far suggests that Lambda will outcompete Delta, the highly transmissible variant that’s now dominating most of the world.Despite the worry, no evidence so far suggests that Lambda will outcompete Delta, the highly transmissible variant that’s now dominating most of the world.
“I think some of the interest is just based on the fact that there’s a new variant, and it has a new name,” said Nathaniel Landau, a microbiologist at the New York University Grossman School of Medicine who is studying the new coronavirus variants. “There’s no reason to think that this is now something worse than Delta.”“I think some of the interest is just based on the fact that there’s a new variant, and it has a new name,” said Nathaniel Landau, a microbiologist at the New York University Grossman School of Medicine who is studying the new coronavirus variants. “There’s no reason to think that this is now something worse than Delta.”
The Tokyo Olympics begin on July 23, and Japan does not have the virus under control.The Tokyo Olympics begin on July 23, and Japan does not have the virus under control.
In response to a sudden spike in cases — Tokyo reported 920 on Wednesday, its highest number since May — authorities announced a state of emergency that will begin Monday and last through the end of the Games, which conclude on Aug. 8.In response to a sudden spike in cases — Tokyo reported 920 on Wednesday, its highest number since May — authorities announced a state of emergency that will begin Monday and last through the end of the Games, which conclude on Aug. 8.
Organizers will also bar most spectators, a reversal of an earlier announcement that they planned to welcome domestic fans. A few events, like the marathon, will be held in locations not affected by the new state of emergency, allowing for the possibility that some fans will be allowed to attend.Organizers will also bar most spectators, a reversal of an earlier announcement that they planned to welcome domestic fans. A few events, like the marathon, will be held in locations not affected by the new state of emergency, allowing for the possibility that some fans will be allowed to attend.
For months, the Japanese public has expressed widespread opposition to the Games, which many fear could become a petri dish for new variants or outbreaks. Recent polls show that a large majority supports canceling or further delaying the Olympics.For months, the Japanese public has expressed widespread opposition to the Games, which many fear could become a petri dish for new variants or outbreaks. Recent polls show that a large majority supports canceling or further delaying the Olympics.
And although Japan has had a relatively mild pandemic experience, its vaccine rollout — now at more than a million doses a day — got off to a slow start. According to Reuters, the country has administered enough doses to vaccinate about 21 percent of its population.And although Japan has had a relatively mild pandemic experience, its vaccine rollout — now at more than a million doses a day — got off to a slow start. According to Reuters, the country has administered enough doses to vaccinate about 21 percent of its population.
But the organizers show no sign of stopping. Officials have long insisted that they can safely hold the Games, which the pandemic already delayed by a year. And in a sign of the event’s inevitability, the International Olympic Committee president, Thomas Bach, arrived in Tokyo on Thursday.But the organizers show no sign of stopping. Officials have long insisted that they can safely hold the Games, which the pandemic already delayed by a year. And in a sign of the event’s inevitability, the International Olympic Committee president, Thomas Bach, arrived in Tokyo on Thursday.
How does the variant dodge the immune system? Scientists have found clues.How does the variant dodge the immune system? Scientists have found clues.
Infections of the variant in France have doubled over the last week, leading officials to warn of a “rapid” fourth wave of the virus, Euronews reports.Infections of the variant in France have doubled over the last week, leading officials to warn of a “rapid” fourth wave of the virus, Euronews reports.
As the variant surges in the U.S., experts are warning of a dangerous fall unless virus restrictions like indoor mask wearing and capacity limits are reimposed, CNBC reports.As the variant surges in the U.S., experts are warning of a dangerous fall unless virus restrictions like indoor mask wearing and capacity limits are reimposed, CNBC reports.
See how the vaccine rollout is going in your county and state.See how the vaccine rollout is going in your county and state.
A new study found genetic variations in Covid patients that could point to better drug treatments.A new study found genetic variations in Covid patients that could point to better drug treatments.
Germany pledged to donate its unwanted AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines to developing countries.Germany pledged to donate its unwanted AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines to developing countries.
The prime minister of Luxembourg, who was hospitalized with Covid-19, has returned home.The prime minister of Luxembourg, who was hospitalized with Covid-19, has returned home.
Haiti’s political turmoil may hamper efforts to contain the virus there, the W.H.O. said.Haiti’s political turmoil may hamper efforts to contain the virus there, the W.H.O. said.
France advised its citizens not to vacation in Spain or Portugal because of recent increases in cases there.France advised its citizens not to vacation in Spain or Portugal because of recent increases in cases there.
Britain’s health secretary said he foresaw record cases after the coming reopening — July 19, or “Freedom Day” — but said the vaccine “severely weakened” the link from illness to hospitalizations.Britain’s health secretary said he foresaw record cases after the coming reopening — July 19, or “Freedom Day” — but said the vaccine “severely weakened” the link from illness to hospitalizations.
The Minneapolis Fed announced a vaccine requirement for employees.The Minneapolis Fed announced a vaccine requirement for employees.
Starved for public displays of affection, some are taking New York’s reopening as a cue to start making out everywhere.Starved for public displays of affection, some are taking New York’s reopening as a cue to start making out everywhere.
Let us know how you’re dealing with the pandemic. Send us a response here, and we may feature it in an upcoming newsletter.Let us know how you’re dealing with the pandemic. Send us a response here, and we may feature it in an upcoming newsletter.
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