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The UK has sounded the alarm about a new strain of COVID-19 that is 70% more transmissible than other existing variants. But there is one fact that must be kept in mind: Viruses mutate regularly, and scientists have found thousands of different mutations among samples of the virus that causes COVID-19. Many of these changes do not affect how easily the virus spreads or the severity of symptoms.
This version of the virus, called “VUI – 202012/01” by the COVID-19 Genomics UK consortium (COG-UK), has undergone 17 mutations, as shared in its report on Sunday. They stated that this strain was of particular interest because of its high number of mutations and that it can “alter antibody recognition.” Two particular mutations have been increasing in frequency since the previous month and are responsible for the increase in cases in the UK, according to the report. The consortium is preparing more updates.
UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock has warned that this new strain is “out of control” according to a Bloomberg article, which indicates that it will be very difficult to keep the virus under control until the vaccine is fully implemented.
While this variant is spreading faster, England’s chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty emphasized that there is nothing to suggest that the new strain is more deadly or resistant to a vaccine.
Meanwhile, the Netherlands, Belgium and Austria banned flights from the UK on Sunday, and Germany and Austria considered limiting flights, to keep this new strain of coronavirus in check.
European Union countries say their response comes in reaction to tougher measures imposed on Saturday in London and surrounding areas by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Johnson immediately placed affected regions under a new level of Level 4 restrictions, saying that a new, fast-moving variant of the virus that is 70% more transmissible than existing strains appears to be driving the rapid spread of new infections in London and the south of England.
“There is no evidence to suggest that it is more lethal or causes a more serious disease,” stressed the prime minister, or that the vaccine will be less effective against it.
Britain has alerted the World Health Organization (WHO) that the new variant of the virus identified this week appears to be accelerating the spread of COVID-19, saying it accounts for around 60% of the capital’s cases.
