Sequencing samples of the virus helps scientists detect new strains, which can inform policy. AFP
Sequencing samples of the virus helps scientists detect new strains, which can inform policy. AFP
Sequencing samples of the virus helps scientists detect new strains, which can inform policy. AFP
Sequencing samples of the virus helps scientists detect new strains, which can inform policy. AFP

Coronavirus explained: Why experts say more countries need to search for new Covid-19 mutations


Gillian Duncan
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In late November, scientists in the UK detected a troubling new Covid-19 variant.

Growth of the strain, which had been circulating at “very low levels” until two weeks previously, was on the turn.

And it was about to explode across the south-east of the country.

The variant first came to light when experts were investigating why infection rates in Kent were not falling, despite severe restrictions being in place.

Genetic sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 samples in the area revealed a cluster of the B117 strain, which came to be known as the Kent variant, spreading rapidly into London and beyond.

Tests showed the variant first emerged in late September.

At the end of October the strain accounted for only 3 per cent of cases in England.

But by the start of February the share had soared to 96 per cent.

The UK discovered the strain due to prolific genomic sequencing of the coronavirus.

It is eighth in a list of the world’s top sequencers, led by countries with much smaller caseloads.

The UK has analysed 7.4 per cent of its two million-plus cases –157,439 cases – according to the Covid-19 Genomics UK Consortium.

Experts have said other countries need to catch up.

The National explains why.

Sars-CoV-2 virus, yellow, which caused the Covid-19 pandemic, is seen emerging from the surface of cells, rendered in blue and pink.
Sars-CoV-2 virus, yellow, which caused the Covid-19 pandemic, is seen emerging from the surface of cells, rendered in blue and pink.

What is the benefit of sequencing the genome of coronavirus cases?

There are several.

All viruses change and by tracing mutations over time scientists can work out their impact.

Sequencing traces these changes, mapping the lineage, transmission and the rate of evolution of the virus, stated a report by McKinsey & Company.

“In the case of New York City’s initial outbreak in March 2020, once epidemiologists identified the probable date of introduction and the strain, public health leaders were able to estimate how many people in the area were infected.

“Such information is vital to support effective response,” it said.

In the UK, research has since confirmed what scientists already suspected – the B117 strain discovered in the UK is significantly more transmissible.

But by discovering the presence of the new variant, the government was able to quickly contain it by imposing another strict lockdown, which eventually brought the growth in new cases under control.

The more infectious B117 variant of coronavirus is between 30 per cent and 100 per cent more deadly, study says. Getty
The more infectious B117 variant of coronavirus is between 30 per cent and 100 per cent more deadly, study says. Getty

How many strains are there of SARS-CoV-2?

There are several known strains, and they will continue to emerge over time.

The virus acquires about two mutations per month. Most of them are useless to SARS-CoV-2, but they sometimes assist the virus by enabling it to spread more easily, for example.

A few of the strains emerging include the same mutations, which is a sign they benefit the virus in some way.

For example, a number now share the E484K mutation in the spike protein, dubbed “eek” by some scientists.

The mutation is known to reduce the protection offered by vaccines and previous infection by “substantially” increasing the amount of serum antibody needed to prevent the infection of cells, according to research by the University of Cambridge.

It was first identified in a variant that appeared in South Africa.

But it has since been detected in the P1 Brazilian strain, which is responsible for a second massive surge in the rainforest city of Manaus, along with some Kent variant samples.

Last week, it was revealed 70 per cent of Covid-19 patients tested at a hospital in Tokyo also carried the E484K mutation.

How many countries sequence cases?

More don’t than do.

Australia is the world’s top sequencer. It tests more than half of samples, according to the GISAID Initiative, which provides a global database of coronavirus genomes. But the country has recorded a relatively small number in total, because it has not had many Covid-19 cases.

The UK is by far the biggest sequencer, testing about 8 per cent of samples from its considerable caseload. That represents 45 per cent of the world’s sequences, according to McKinsey & Company.

Some countries, such as the US, sequence less than half a per cent of cases. And many have no sequencing capacity at all.

According to research, mutations can reduce the protection offered by vaccines and previous infection by ‘substantially’ increasing the amount of serum antibodies needed to prevent the infection of cells. Reuters
According to research, mutations can reduce the protection offered by vaccines and previous infection by ‘substantially’ increasing the amount of serum antibodies needed to prevent the infection of cells. Reuters

Does the UAE sequence samples?

Yes. The country has not revealed what percentage of samples it sequences, but Dr Farida Al Hosani, a federal health spokeswoman, said the mutations circulating in the Emirates are monitored.

“Since the beginning of the global announcement of new strains, the UAE has been following up on changes and developments in the virus, and a national team was formed to study the tracking of mutated strains in co-operation with all health authorities,” she said.

“The team analyses the situation periodically and reviews recommendations in this regard.”

G42 Healthcare, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi-based Group 42, said it has conducted a SARS-CoV-2 genome sequencing study that identified the genomic source of the pandemic.

The viral genome sequencing was performed on 1,067 nasopharyngeal swab samples collected in Abu Dhabi between May and June 2020.

The analysis revealed unique genetic variations specific to the UAE virus strains, and the patterns of the virus’s introduction, the company said.

Coronavirus: latest pictures from around the world

  • A woman walks down a street in Sao Paulo, Brazil after the city ended 10 days of lockdown. EPA
    A woman walks down a street in Sao Paulo, Brazil after the city ended 10 days of lockdown. EPA
  • UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds a news conference on the pandemic in London. Reuters
    UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson holds a news conference on the pandemic in London. Reuters
  • Medical personnel vaccinate older adults in the city of Leon, Guanajuato state, Mexico. EPA
    Medical personnel vaccinate older adults in the city of Leon, Guanajuato state, Mexico. EPA
  • A person wearing a mask walks during quarantine in Santiago, Chile. The country will close its international borders and cancel flights during April after passing one million reported cases of Covid-19. Getty
    A person wearing a mask walks during quarantine in Santiago, Chile. The country will close its international borders and cancel flights during April after passing one million reported cases of Covid-19. Getty
  • Commuters wearing protective masks make their way in Tokyo, Japan. Reuters
    Commuters wearing protective masks make their way in Tokyo, Japan. Reuters
  • An official checks the temperature of a voter as part of precautions against the coronavirus as he arrives to cast his vote in the Tamil Nadu state assembly elections in Chennai, India. AP Photo
    An official checks the temperature of a voter as part of precautions against the coronavirus as he arrives to cast his vote in the Tamil Nadu state assembly elections in Chennai, India. AP Photo
  • A worker sprays seats in the Seattle Mariners' dugout as a precaution against Covid-19 before a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox in the US. AP Photo
    A worker sprays seats in the Seattle Mariners' dugout as a precaution against Covid-19 before a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox in the US. AP Photo
  • People queue for vaccinations in Artesia, California. Reuters
    People queue for vaccinations in Artesia, California. Reuters
  • A Covid-19 sign hangs in the concourse of Globe Life Field before the Texas Rangers' home opener baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays, in Arlington, Texas. AP
    A Covid-19 sign hangs in the concourse of Globe Life Field before the Texas Rangers' home opener baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays, in Arlington, Texas. AP
  • A woman receives a one-shot dose of the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine at a clinic in Riverside, California. AFP
    A woman receives a one-shot dose of the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine at a clinic in Riverside, California. AFP
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Where to donate in the UAE

The Emirates Charity Portal

You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.

The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments

The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.

Al Noor Special Needs Centre

You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.

Beit Al Khair Society

Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.

Dar Al Ber Society

Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.

Dubai Cares

Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.

Emirates Airline Foundation

Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.

Emirates Red Crescent

On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.

Gulf for Good

Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.

Noor Dubai Foundation

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).

Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

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