Public Health Response to COVID-19 Spread and New Variants Research Paper

Analysis of Research on Public Health Response to COVID-19

Introduction to the Topic

The research article, “Public Health Response to the Initiation and Spread of Pandemic COVID-19 in the United States, February 24–April 21, 2020,” is dedicated to the discussion of the early cases of COVID-19, the spread of the disease, and the efforts put into place to curb the pandemic. Considering the fact that SARS-CoV-2 transmits through trace contacts, the implementation of prevention efforts focused on the reduction of contacts within the population.

Onset of Pandemic

The first cases of COVID-19 were identified among individuals traveling from China to the United States, while in a few weeks, patients who did not travel internationally traveled nor had contact with infected persons presented to healthcare facilities. As a result, the transmission of the virus started reaching immense volumes due to contacts between people. In particular, the transmission was exacerbated through the ongoing importation of the virus from people traveling from foreign countries, attendance of social or professional events, the appearance of the virus in high-density areas and settings, and issues with the early detection of the disease. To respond to these challenges, the public health efforts implemented on different levels entailed the strengthening of case detection and contact tracing as well as the intensifying quarantine measures.

Spreading of Virus

The authors of the article paid significant attention to investigating the impact of travel on the spreading of SARS-CoV-2. Specifically, the Chinese authorities halted travel from Wuhan while the US government established travel restrictions on non-American citizens from China (Schuchat & CDC COVID-19 Response Team, 2020). However, travelers were still arriving from Italy and other Schengen countries, where spreading the disease was especially concerning. Even though the initial introduction of the virus was found to be from China, further investigation revealed that the virus came to the US from Europe and China, as well as the result of traveling between states.

Public Health Response

Regarding the public health response, the risks of travel-associated transmissions were mitigated through traveler screening, using travel health notices, imposing restrictions and quarantine orders, and educating travelers (Schuchat & CDC COVID-19 Response Team, 2020). To mitigate the risks of transmission during large gatherings, the response efforts included restrictions on such gatherings and transitioning to virtual events. The introduction of viruses into high-risk settings and workplaces ranging from homeless shelters to long-term care facilities was addressed through visitor access restrictions, the establishment of cohort units, in-depth contact tracing, consistent and correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and rigorous sanitation practices. High population density and crowding were mitigated through social distancing practices, PPE use, working and studying from home, and increased sanitation. Finally, the cryptic (unrecognized) transmission was addressed by increasing the rates of testing and implementing COVID-19-specific surveillance, quarantine restrictions, and stay-at-home orders.

Summary

To summarize, the public health response to the rapid spreading of SARS-CoV-2 had to be immediate and address the most prioritized challenges. Airport screenings and quarantine measures had to be implemented as soon as possible to prevent the widespread transmission of the virus to the general community. The evolution of the virus, including its new variants, requires different mitigation strategies that meet the current challenges. The early recognition of risk factors that contribute to increased virality of the disease allows for curbing new waves of transmission, giving the healthcare industry an opportunity to manage the challenges effectively and quickly.

Lessons on COVID-19 and the New Mutation of This Virus

The exploration of COVID-19 and its subsequent impact on public health allowed me to make one important conclusion – the virus is always changing and developing. For example, as Sparks (2021) suggested in their study, in 2021 only, the CDC identified five variants of SARS-CoV-2, including Omicron, that cause faster infection, more severe illness, and lower treatment and vaccine effectiveness. Therefore, despite the desires of policymakers to relax guidance on social distancing after the initial waves of the pandemic were under control, the evolution of the variants caused alertness.

Research on the mutations of COVID-19 variants continues, with new findings available as late as August 2023. According to Callaway (2023), mutation-laden lineage BA.2.86 seemed very different from the already studied variants and has multiple alterations in its spike protein, which is crucial for its immune attack on the body. Many scientists compared BA.2.86 to the Omicron variant identified in late 2021, which caused an additional rise in transmission (Callaway, 2023). Notably, the new variant has many changes in the areas of the spike protein targeted by a body’s potent infection-blocking antibodies, which suggests that it will be more successful at escaping from the neutralizing antibodies (Callaway, 2023).

Besides, the fact that the cases involving the new variant were not connected suggests that BA.2.86 has already spread significantly. Even though there is no cause for panic yet, scientists will pay close attention to BA.2.86 and the further mutations of the virus to be as informed about the progression of COVID-19 as possible. Even though the most severe cases are likely to be in the past, it is crucial to stay prepared and ensure that a new pandemic wave comes as a surprise.

COVID-19 Spike Protein

The general definition of spike proteins includes a glycoprotein protruding from the envelope of some viruses, including coronavirus, which facilitates the virion’s entry into a host cell. This is accomplished by binding a receptor on a host cell’s surface, followed by the fusion of the viral and host cell membranes (McGuire et al., 2022). When it comes to SARS-CoV-2, its spike protein plays a significant role in recognizing the receptor and contributing to the process of fusion of the cell membrane; the protein is made from two sub-units (S1 and S2) (Huang et al., 2020). While S1 includes a receptor-binding domain capable of recognizing and binding to the host cell, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, S2 mediates the fusion of the viral cell membrane by creating a six-helical bundle through the two-heptad repeat domain (Huang et al., 2020).

Scholars have been extensively researching the spike protein involved in the COVID-19 virus because it plays a crucial role in the life cycle of a disease and can offer potential targets for drug therapies. For instance, research has shown that the ACE2-based peptide (3CLpro-1 inhibitor) has been effective when fighting against SARS-CoV-2 (Huang et al., 2020). Thus, the S protein involved in the coronavirus formation and virality is the most crucial target both for therapeutic research and the COVID-19 vaccine. Importantly, the study of the spike proteins of SARS-CoV-2 allowed for the development of vaccines to prevent infection (Huang et al., 2020). Even though 100% effectiveness is not guaranteed, research will continue to reach maximum efficacy of protection against COVID-19.

References

Callaway, E. (2023). Why a highly mutated coronavirus variant has scientists on alert. Nature. Web.

Huang, Y., Yang, C., xu, X-f., & Liu, S-w. (2020). Structural and functional properties of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein: Potential antivirus drug development for COVID-19. Acta Pharmacologica Sinica, 41, 1141–1149. Web.

McGuire, G., Luna, C. V., Staehling, E. M., & Stroupe, M. E. (2022). From COVID-19 to the central dogma: Investigating the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. American Biology Teacher, 84(7), 410-414. Web.

Schuchat, A., & CDC COVID-19 Response Team (2020). Public health response to the initiation and spread of pandemic COVID-19 in the United States, February 24-April 21, 2020. MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 69(18), 551–556. Web.

Sparks, S. (2021). Will 3-foot spacing still make sense with new COVID variants in the community? Education Week, 40(28), 5.