New coronavirus variant with worrying mutations discovered in UK

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This article can be added to the scientific files:

France Marseille-1 Consists of 10 Mutations

Introduction into the Marseille geographical area of a mild SARS-CoV-2 variant originating from sub-Saharan Africa

BACKGROUND In Marseille, France, the COVID-19 incidence evolved unusually with several successive epidemic episodes. The second outbreak started in July, was associated with North Africa, and involved travelers and an outbreak on passenger ships. This suggested the involvement of a new viral...

medrxiv.org

’....It is characterized by a combination of 10 mutations located in the nsp2, nsp3, nsp12, S, ORF3a, ORF8 and N/ORF14 genes. We identified Senegal and Gambia, where the virus had been transferred from China and Europe in Feb-April as the source of Marseille-1 variant, which then most likely reached Marseille through Maghreb when French borders reopened.’

 

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Hats off to the OP for an early trajectory on this important issue. Each individual mutation is difficult to define as more causal than the others. Currently in Michigan, B.1.1.7 takes the spotlight, and on another thread we have shown E484K’s proximity to ACE2, which would implicate that mutation as the major one of concern. Interestingly, it does not occur in the French Henro Mondor variant.