A new variant (derived from Clade 20C) has been detected in the context of a cluster at the Lannion hospital center, in the Côtes d’Armor. …several patients presenting typical symptoms suggesting an infection by SARS-CoV-2 but a negative RT-PCR test result on nasopharyngeal samples and for whom the diagnosis could be made by serology or by performing RT-PCR on deep respiratory samples.
Where was the “Breton variant” discovered?
The alert was given after the Breton SARS-CoV-2 mutation was detected in a cluster that formed at the Lannion hospital center , in Côtes-d’Armor, in early March. Of the 79 cases of contamination, eight people were carriers of this variant. These eight people died. For now, there is nothing to link their death to the variant.
French Health Department Press Release – 15th March 2021“Following the identification by sequencing, in Brittany, of a new variant (derived from Clade 20C), the health authorities put in place the necessary monitoring and support measures.”
Due to the recent emergence of a new variant initially detected at the Lannion Hospital Center (a variant
specific to the 20C clade, different from other 20C viruses currently circulating in France 1 ), a case definition specific is proposed for this variant.
Identify the cases of infection in the population by the new variant of clade 20C in the persons residing or having stayed at a consistent time period with the period of contamination, in an area defined in the document “Definition of cases of infection SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) and what to do about a new variant
1- Identify cases in hospitals in connection with the cluster of new variant of the 20C clade detected in Brittany and to objectify the impact of circulation of the 20C clade variant in these establishments.
2- Identify the cases of infection by the new variant of clade 20C among the patients hospitalized on national territory who fall within the definition of case as defined in the document “Definition of cases of infection with SARS- CoV-2 (COVID-19) and what to do about a new variant detected in Brittany (variant of clade 20C) ”.
3- Explore the sites and the kinetics of viral excretion for the 20C variant
** This post was originally published on March 20, 2021 **
