France Detects New COVID-19 Variant IHU More Infectious Than Omicron

By Staff Reporter
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87994
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January 05, 2022

The new variant — B.1.640.2 — which has been detected in 12 patients near Marseille, contains 46 mutations, making it more resistant to vaccines and infectious.

Even as the world battles the uptick in COVID-19 cases owing to the Omicron variant, scientists in France have found another variant.

The discovery of the variant, dubbed B.1.640.2, was announced in a paper posted on medRxiv.

Called IHU, as of now, the strain was discovered by academics based at the IHU Mediterranee Infection on 10 December.

Here’s what we know so far of this new COVID-19 variant:

• Researchers say that it contains 46 mutations — even more than Omicron — which makes it more resistant to vaccines and infectious.
• Some 12 cases have been spotted so far near Marseille, with the first linked to travel to the African country Cameroon.
• Tests show the strain carries the N501Y mutation — first seen on the Alpha variant — that experts believe can make it more transmissible
• According to the scientists, it also carries the E484K mutation, which could mean that the IHU variant will be more resistant to vaccines.
• It is yet to be spotted in other countries or labelled a variant under investigation by the World Health Organization.

Omicron dominant variant

Currently, Omicron is the dominant coronavirus variant in France, joining other European countries like the United Kingdom and Portugal with surging case numbers over the past few days.

France's public health agency had recently said that "62.4 percent of tests showed a profile compatible with the Omicron variant".

The Omicron variant of coronavirus has stoked average daily confirmed cases to more than 160,000 per day over the past week, with peaks above 200,000.

“The tidal wave has indeed arrived, it’s enormous, but we will not give in to panic,” Health Minister Olivier Veran was quoted as telling Parliament.

In an attempt to battle this surge, French MPs have proposed legislation that would require most people to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to enter public spaces such as bars, restaurants and long-distance public transport.

It is expected to come into force on 15 January after passing through the upper house Senate.

News agency AFP reported that the bill’s headline measure is aimed at getting France’s remaining five million unvaccinated people over 12 to accept a shot.

At present a health pass is required to access numerous everyday venues including bars, cafés, restaurants, cinemas, theatres, gyms, leisure centres and long distance train travel – but a recent negative test is accepted for the health pass.

The bill aims to replace the health pass with a vaccine pass – which would only allow people who are fully vaccinated to gain access to those venues.

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Felony DUI Lawyer: When a DUI Becomes a Felony

Not every DUI is charged the same way. Many first offenses are misdemeanors, but some DUI cases can become felonies.

A felony DUI is much more serious. It may carry prison exposure, long license suspension, higher fines, probation, ignition interlock, and a permanent felony record.

A felony DUI lawyer can help review the evidence, challenge the charge, and protect your rights.

When Can DUI Become a Felony?

DUI may become a felony depending on state law and facts such as:

Prior DUI convictions
Crash causing serious injury
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Driving on a suspended license
High BAC with aggravating factors
Refusal with prior history
Repeat offenses within a lookback period

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Some states treat a third, fourth, or later DUI as a felony depending on the timeframe.

The prosecutor may use prior convictions to increase penalties.

A lawyer may review:

Whether prior convictions count
Whether records are accurate
Whether the lookback period applies
Whether prior pleas were valid
Whether the current charge can be challenged

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If someone is injured in a DUI crash, the charge may become more serious.

Possible issues include:

Who caused the crash
Whether impairment caused the injury
Severity of injury
Accident reconstruction
Medical records
Witness statements
Vehicle data
BAC timing

A DUI with injury case often requires detailed investigation.

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If a DUI crash causes death, the case may involve extremely serious charges.

Possible consequences may include prison, long license revocation, restitution, and a permanent criminal record.

Anyone facing a fatal DUI allegation should contact a criminal defense attorney immediately.

Felony DUI Evidence

Evidence may include:

Police reports
Crash reports
Body camera video
Dash camera video
Breath test records
Blood test records
Accident reconstruction
Medical records
Witness statements
Toxicology reports
Vehicle black box data
911 calls

A felony DUI defense may require experts.

What Makes Felony DUI Defense Different?

Felony DUI cases are more complex because they may involve:

Grand jury or preliminary hearing
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Expert witnesses
Accident reconstruction
Victim impact issues
Civil lawsuit exposure
Restitution claims
Longer court process
Trial preparation
Immigration consequences for noncitizens

The stakes are much higher than a standard misdemeanor DUI.

Possible Defense Issues

A felony DUI lawyer may investigate:

Was the stop legal?
Was the arrest lawful?
Was the chemical test reliable?
Was the driver actually impaired?
Did impairment cause the crash?
Are prior convictions valid?
Were injuries legally caused by the accused?
Was the blood draw handled correctly?
Was there another cause of the accident?

Final Thoughts

A felony DUI charge can affect your freedom, license, employment, and future.

These cases require immediate legal attention. If you are facing felony DUI, repeat DUI, DUI with injury, or DUI involving death, speak with an experienced DUI defense lawyer as soon as possible.

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