The B.1.526 or Yota coronavirus strain, which was first recorded in New York, may increase the mortality rate by 62-82% among older people.
This is evidenced by the results of a joint study conducted by the New York Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University.
B.1.526 SARS-CoV-2 strain was first registered in New York in November 2020. Subsequently, "Yota" expanded to 52 U.S. states and 27 countries around the world.
Scientists utilized nine epidemiological and population datasets collected in New York City (NYC), where B.1.526 emerged, and comprehensive modeling to estimate the changes in transmissibility, immune escape potential, and infection fatality risk (IFR) for B.1.526. The research covered the time period from November 2020 to April 2021.
The study concluded that B.1.526 has higher immune escape potential and is 15-25% more contagious than other COVID-19 strains.
According to doctors, B.1.526 SARS-CoV-2 can also increase the number of deaths. It was noted that during the period under study, the mortality rate increased by 46%, 82% and 62% among groups of people of 45-64 years old, 65-74 years old and over 75 years old respectively, compared to those numbers calculated for other strains.
An initial laboratory study suggested that this variant is to some extent resistant to two therapeutic monoclonal antibodies in clinical use and neutralization by convalescent plasma and vaccinee sera. However, another study examined all sequenced B.1.526 cases in NYC identified as of April 5, 2021 (n = 3,679) and showed preliminary evidence that this variant did not increase risk for infection after vaccination or reinfection.
The World Health Organization declared a low danger of strain “Yota”. The strain was included in the list of strains that are expandinf in number of infections.
In addition, utilizing multiple epidemiological datasets and comprehensive modeling, the study has estimated the changes in transmissibility, immune escape potential, and disease severity for B.1.526. Results suggest that, compared to preexisting non-VOC/VOI variants, B.1.526 causes a moderate increase in transmissibility and minimal immune evasion; however, it might substantially increase IFR in older adults.
As such, continued monitoring of the circulation of this variant is warranted.