Screening, Prevention and Treatment of COVID-19 with Special Reference to African-Americans

Abstract

Viruses mutate all the time, and the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is no exception. As new variants of the COVID-19 emerge, a slew of new studies suggest that some may be able to evade immune responses triggered by a previous infection or by a vaccine. The novel variants of SARS-CoV-2 including those seen in the UK (2OI/5O1Y.V1/B.1.1.7), South Africa (2OH/5O1Y.V2/B.1.351), Brazil (P.1/2OJ/5O1Y.V3/B.1.1.248) have emerged with the concern of increased infectivity and virulence. Scientists are working to learn more about the characteristics of these strains whether they could cause more severe illness, and whether currently authorized vaccines will protect people against them. All viruses naturally mutate and evolve over time. For example, flu virus change often, which is why doctors recommend that you get a flu shot every year. Various mRNA vaccine platforms have been developed in recent years and validated in studies of immunogenicity and efficacy.