COVID-19: Blood Type A / Increased Transmissibility of B.1.1.7

By Kelly Young

Edited by Susan Sadoughi, MD

Here are some interesting recent developments in COVID-19:

Blood type A: Researchers have found new evidence linking the A blood type with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Previous research has suggested a higher risk for COVID-19 respiratory failure in people with the A blood type. Blood group A antigen is present on respiratory epithelial cells as well as red blood cells. In a study in Blood Advances, researchers found that the SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain preferentially recognizes the blood group A antigen expressed on respiratory epithelial cells, possibly explaining the increased risk for respiratory failure in these patients.

Increased transmissibility of B.1.1.7: Researchers estimate that the SARS-CoV-2 variant known as B.1.1.7, which was originally detected in England, has 43% to 90% higher transmissibility than earlier strains. In Science, they caution that "without stringent control measures, including limited closure of educational institutions and a greatly accelerated vaccine roll-out, COVID-19 hospitalisations and deaths across England in 2021 will exceed those in 2020."