‘New super-variant Covid-22 more dangerous than Delta’

A Coronavirus “super variant” worse than Covid-19, Covid-22, is likely to emerge next year, stated reports on Tuesday (Aug 24), citing a Zurich-based scientist’s claim, who also warned that every unvaccinated person, including children, is a potential super-spreader.

According to Dr Sai Reddy, the immunologist expert at federal technology institute ETH Zurich, a combination of existing strains is likely to result in a new and more dangerous phase of the pandemic.

“Covid-22 could be even worse than what we are experiencing now,” Reddy warned, adding that multiple vaccinations will need to be prepared over the next few years as the world continues to fight the evolving threat, “maybe for the rest of our lives”, reports said.

Speaking to a Swiss German-language newspaper, the scientist said due to the likes of Delta “this is no longer Covid-19” and warned anyone refusing to get jabbed will be infected at some point. This statement is anchored on the fact that vaccinations administered so far have significantly reduced the transmission rate of the contagious COVID-19.

“The viral load of Delta is so great that anyone who has not been vaccinated and who is infected with the variant can be a super spreader,” he added.

He said the Beta and Gamma variants can partially avoid antibodies and while Delta is “much more contagious” it hasn’t “developed any escape mutations”.

Recommending that Covid shots should be given to all children, Reddy claimed there is enough evidence to show the jabs are not a threat to under 12s, reports said. That said, parents are also advised to secure vaccine shots for their children in preparation for the possible emergence of a more dangerous super-variant of the coronavirus disease. Yet given the recent complaints and reports of adverse side effects of certain vaccinations, it’s also understandable that parents are still concerned about the consequences of getting their children vaccinated.

For instance, there are reports that some vaccinations may cause serious health complications, including multiple sclerosis. Due to these threats that result in lawsuits and other legal actions, no one can blame parents who refuse to get COVID-19 vaccinations for themselves and their kids.

On the other hand, the government continues to appeal to the public that the best way to protect one another against the threat of COVID-19 is to get vaccinated. In fact, despite the issues associated with the vaccines, authority figures around the world still consider vaccinations as the best solution to mitigate the health and economic risks of the on-going pandemic.

Lastly, he went on to say “vaccination breakthroughs” will arrive in the autumn when cases will again increase and could see the return of tough restrictive measures in some countries.

“It is very likely that a new variant will emerge where we can no longer rely solely on vaccination,” Reddy said.

Given that statement, the government is also likely advised to be prepared with some safety measures to handle the possible emergence of a new COVID-19 variant, which may again wreak havoc on the population and claim many lives as a result. Along with vaccines, restrictive measures remain to be the first lines of defense against the coronavirus disease.