As Malaysia finally opens its door to international tourists, many of us locals have started to worry with the rise of the new mutation of the COVID-19 Delta variant that has multiple names like AY.4.2, Delta Plus or VUI-21OCT-01.
Although very new, this variant is seen to be spreading quickly causing a rise in the number of cases in the UK with the Delta AY.4.2 accounting for approximately 6 per cent of all Delta cases
What is the Delta AY.4.2?
AY.4.2 is a new mutation of the Delta variant, the most easily transmitted descendant of the SARS-CoV-2 corona virus, causing a surge in COVID-19 cases in various countries in 2021.
Jeffrey Barrett, director of the COVID-19 Genomics Initiative at the Wellcome Sanger Institute in Cambridge, and Francois Balloux, director of the University College London Genetics Institute, told the Financial Times that the Delta AY.4.2 variant is 10 to 15 percent more contagious capability than the original Delta variant.
The Delta AY.4.2 has now been classified as a Variant Under Investigation (VUI).
Is the Delta AY.4.2 variant more contagious?
Delta AY.4.2 is still under investigation and it is not yet known whether it is highly contagious.
British researchers themselves are still learning and researching about the Delta AY variant.4.2. If Barrett and Balloux’s claims are confirmed, AY.4.2 would be the most contagious type of coronavirus since the outbreak began.
An official spokesman for the British prime minister asked the public to calm down and not panic. "There is no evidence for that it is more contagious, but as you might expect, we are monitoring it closely and will not hesitate to take action if necessary." the spokesman told Sky News.
Meanwhile, professor of immunology at Imperial College London, Danny Altmann, told CNBC that subtype AY.4.2 "needs to be closely monitored and controlled."
Will our vaccines work against it?
While evidence is still emerging, so far it does not appear the new VUI causes more severe disease or renders the vaccines currently deployed any less effective.
So everyone stay calm, get your vaccinations, stay safe and follow the SOPs while travelling.
