It's not over yet, guys! The COVID-19 virus is still in our community, so don't be complacent!
According to a new study, the development of treatments and vaccines for the new COVID variant "Kraken," XBB.1.5, is "urgently required" due to its potential to spawn more dangerous variants.
Photo via Moneycontrol
The new variant's ability to tightly bind to the human cells it infects is likely contributing to its rapid rise in the United States and it could pave the way for the evolution of an even more dangerous variant, according to Chinese researchers, as reported by Fortune Well.
The Kraken’s ability to “hijack” cells may allow it to spawn mutations that could escape immunity more easily.
Given this, XBB.1.5 must be "closely monitored, and the development of effective neutralising antibodies and vaccines against XBB.1.5 is urgently required," according to the study's authors, which include Dr. Yunlong Cao of Peking University in Beijing.
However, The good news is that XBB.1.5 is slightly less immune evasive than its parent, according to the researchers. This means that the new variant should be no more resistant to prior vaccines and infections than a variant already in circulation.
Stay safe, take care of yourself and your loved ones, and please take the COVID-19 booster as soon as possible!
