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Higher Ed Dive
What colleges should know about the coronavirus variants
Infectious disease and public health experts discuss whether
institutions should step up safety measures in response to the new
strains.
Natalie Schwartz
March 1, 2021
Coronavirus cases are trending downward across the U.S., but the
emergence of several concerning variant strains has dampened some of
the optimism about where the pandemic is heading.
Public health officials are keeping a close eye on three separate
variants, first discovered in the United Kingdom, South Africa and
Brazil. Early studies suggest these mutant strains could be more
transmissible or render vaccines less effective.
More recently, two notable variants popped up on opposite sides of the
U.S. In California, researchers say a mutation first identified there
last year is more transmissible, though their study hasn't been
peer-reviewed yet. Scientists also say in two separate studies, neither
of which has been published in an academic journal, that a new variant
in New York is spreading rapidly and may weaken the strength of
vaccines.
Much remains unknown about the variants, though some of the early data
is worrisome. Still, college leaders shouldn't think their rise means
the fight against coronavirus on campuses is unwinnable.
"Regardless of the variant, we know that masking works, we know that
physical distancing works, we know that good hygiene works," said Anita
Barkin, co-chair of the American College Health Association's COVID-19
task force. "We need to continue to focus on the things that work."
Higher Ed Dive asked infectious disease and public health experts about
how colleges should prepare for the variants, and whether they should
change their approach to the virus in light of the new strains and
growing availability of vaccines.
Where do variants come from?
Some viruses, including the one that causes COVID-19, frequently
mutate. Many of these changes aren't significant or they make the
pathogen unable to replicate, essentially killing off that line. But
sometimes they make the virus more transmissible or cause more serious
diseases; these are the variants scientists are closely watching.
"Every time it replicates there is a chance for a mutation," said
Catherine Troisi, an epidemiologist at the University of Texas Health
Science Center at Houston School of Public Health. "If you've got a lot
of replication going on because there are a lot of cases, then there is
more opportunity."
Should colleges be testing for variants?
In order to track variants, scientists must genetically sequence
samples of the coronavirus. These efforts can be expensive, however.
Patrick Sullivan, an epidemiology professor at Emory University, in
Georgia, said he was skeptical that sequencing virus samples from
students and campus employees would be the best use of colleges'
resources. Instead, he recommended keeping abreast of what state public
health authorities are learning about the variants, while Barkin
suggested asking those officials if they recommend sequencing campus
samples.
However, surveillance for coronavirus variants across the U.S. is
spotty at best. That may change soon, as the new coronavirus relief
bill Congress is considering sets aside nearly $1.8 billion for
sequencing and tracking the virus.
How do the variants impact the vaccines?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved three vaccines for
emergency use. The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines require two
shots and were about 95% effective in clinical trials, though they may
be less effective against some variants. The agency also recently
greenlit the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which requires only one
shot and is 66% effective.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's advisory panel has
stressed that the vaccines were tested at different times and against
different variants, The Washington Post reported.
Read this and other stories at Higher Ed Dive
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