Japan launched a rapid test that detects the delta variant of COVID-19 in one hour

Japanese manufacturer of precision instruments Shimadzu Corp. started. In the marketing of a PCR test kit with reagents that can identify the L452R mutation of the delta variant of the novel coronavirus in about one hour.

The company announced that the kit is being sold to companies and public health centers that are involved in testing for the novel coronavirus. This detector set significantly shortens the time required for mutation detection, which previously took more than two hours.

Because delta variant infestations continue to occur in many parts of the country, S.himadzu hopes to stop the spread of the infection by quickly detecting the variant.

In addition to the kit for the delta variant, Shimadzu has also started selling a kit that can detect the E484K mutation for the beta, gamma, and theta variants. The beta variant was first found in South Africa, while the gamma variant was first observed in Brazil, and the theta variant was observed in the Philippines.

Delta is one of the new variants of the coronavirus that has alarmed the international scientific community. It was discovered in India in October 2020 and has already been expanded to at least 96 countries so far. Even in some, such as Singapore, the United Kingdom and Portugal, it has become the dominant variant, displacing other, more contagious variants of the original virus.

Based on the published data, it is known that It is more transmissible than other variants, carries a higher risk of hospitalization and re-infection, and generates a slightly different symptom profile (eg, more headaches and less coughing). The delta variant is estimated to transmit between 30% and 60% more than other variants of the coronavirus. It can be up to 80% more contagious than the virus that emerged in Wuhan, China in December 2019.

Researchers are studying delta’s ability to evade protection from a vaccine, but there is no confirmation of this hypothesis. In other words, Studies to date show that vaccines are still effective against Delta.

What makes this delta variable more worrisome? In general, it is a set of genetic “improvements” that facilitate the spread and invasion of the human body. The fact is also reinforced by external factors, such as low vaccination, or the behavior of the community without measures of control and prevention, which also affects the increased transmission of these variables.

This year and a half, science learned that SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, does not have the ability to mutate like the influenza virus, for example. But when new variants emerge, they can acquire “useful” properties that make them viable in a highly competitive environment and selection for invading human bodies.

new wave

The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) expects this The number of new coronavirus cases in the region has doubled by five between now and August 1compared to last week’s level.

According to forecasts published on Friday about his study area, which includes the European Union, as well as Norway and Iceland, The center expects that there will be 420 cases per 100,000 residents in the week ending August 1, compared to less than 90 registered last week. For the week ending August 8, The EU-based agency expects 620 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

These projections, which are hypotheses at present, It will equal the cases recorded in the fall (northern) of 2020 and in April of 2021, when significant outbreaks were detected.

According to the ECDC, The number of hospitalizations will increase, but not significantly, thanks to vaccination.

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