First discovered in New York strain of coronavirus B. 526, which is classified as 'Iota', could increase mortality rates by 62-82% in older adults.

This is evidenced by data from a study conducted by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University.. net.

Option B. 526 SARS-CoV-2, also known as the Iota variant, was first spotted in New York in November 2020. Later, the variant was found in all 52 states of the United States, as well as in 27 countries of the world..

A team of scientists studied epidemiological data collected in New York from November 2020 to April 2021. The conclusions indicate that this variant has a significantly higher transmissibility and the potential to bypass the body's immunity than other common strains.. Transmission of this variant of the virus is 15-25% higher than that of other known mutations.

According to scientists, the Iota option is able to increase the mortality rate from infection, which is the proportion of deaths from the total number of infected:

during the study period, the indicator increased by 46%, 82% and 62% among people aged 45-64 years, 65-74.

Laboratory studies have shown that this variant is moderately resistant to neutralization with therapeutic monoclonal antibodies and antibodies induced by vaccine or infection.

The WHO has included the Iota strain in the list of variants of interest, that is, strains that are being detected more and more in an increasing area. There is also information or prediction that these strains may change the properties of the coronavirus..