Coronavirus mutations: Turkish Medical Association warns against 'snowball effect'

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The Turkish Medical Association (TTB) has warned that the current coronavirus measures may not be enough for the more contagious new variants.

According to the latest statement by Minister of Health Fahrettin Koca, Turkey has found 196 cases of the UK variant (B.1.1.7), two cases of the South African variant (B.1.351) and one case of the Brazilian variant (P.1).

Calling the ministry for transparency, the association said, "We -as always- have not been able to reach information such as in which cities and age groups the variants are seen and how its clinical course is."

"In terms of the outbreak speed and therefore the effect on deaths, a 'snowball effect' is talked about these variants, which have become dominant in the countries where they are detected.

"According to a modelling that describes this effect, these variants become dominant in a region within one or two months if they increase the infection speed by 30 or 50 percent.

"All three variants draw attention with the mutations they have accumulated being beyond what was expected from the evolution speed of SARS-CoV-2."

"Even if the variants don't increase the severity of the disease, it would be understood that the 'snowball effect' in the outbreak speed will also apply to deaths because of the increase in the infection speed." (AS/VK)