Hong Kong Nov 27 (BUS): Two people in Hong Kong known to have been infected with the new Covid-19 virus are reported to have a high viral load, raising concern about the effectiveness of current vaccines against it. alternative.
The couple underwent PCR tests that showed Ct values at 18 and 19, Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa) reported.
Epidemiologist Eric Weigl Ding said in a tweet: “The viral load of these two with #B11529 in Hong Kong hotels was VERY high. PCR Ct values of 18 and 19!!!.” He added: “Looks like vaccine evasion could be real with this alternative”.
Governments around the world have moved quickly to restrict travel in order to slow the spread of the potentially more dangerous B.1.1.529 variant of the coronavirus.
The variant, called Omicron, has so far been detected in South Africa, Botswana, Hong Kong, Israel and Belgium.
The World Health Organization and the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control have expressed serious concern about the large number of mutations in the variant, which may significantly reduce the effectiveness of vaccines and increase the risk of reinfection.
Hong Kong authorities say the variant was brought into the territory by a South African traveler who had been staying in a quarantine hotel since arriving on November 11.
However, the virus was only discovered after the man underwent a second PCR test on November 13.
Authorities believe the 36-year-old South African could have infected a 62-year-old man in the room across from his, despite the two being in strict isolation.
The latter also tested positive for the new virus variant in his fourth PCR test on November 18.
Hong Kong officials said the South African man may have transferred the species when he opened his door to receive his meals.
Both patients were reportedly fully vaccinated.
NS