Seven frequently asked questions about the SARS-CoV-2 strain detected in the UK. What we know so far

Why is this variant of COVID-19 a concern?

Because it rapidly replaces other versions of the virus and undergoes mutations that affect important parts of it, some of the mutations lead, according to laboratory studies, to an increase in the ability of the virus to infect.

The new strains may seem more common simply because they are in the right place at the right time, like London, which only had level two restrictions until recently.

How fast is the new strain of SARS-CoV-2 spreading?

The new strain was first detected in September. In November, about a quarter of the cases in London were caused by the new variant and now nearly two-thirds of the cases.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the new virus could be up to 70% more transmittable.

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How far has the coronavirus spread from the UK?

The variant is believed to have occurred in a patient in the UK or was imported from a country with less capacity to monitor for coronavirus mutations. The variant can be found in the United Kingdom, with the exception of Northern Ireland, but it is highly concentrated in London, the south-east and the east of England.

Data from Nextstrain, which monitored the genetic codes of viral samples around the world, suggests that in Denmark and Australia the cases came from the UK. The Netherlands have also reported cases.

A similar variant that appeared in South Africa shares some of the mutations, but does not appear to be related to the British version.

Coronavirus Has this happened before?

Yes. The virus, which was first detected in Wuhan, China, is not the same in most of the world.

The D614G mutation appeared in Europe in February and became the dominant form of the virus worldwide.

Another variant, called A222V, has spread throughout Europe and has been related to summer holidays in Spain.

What is known about the new SARS-CoV-2 mutations?

An analysis identifies 17 potentially important changes. There have been changes in the protein the virus uses to unlock access to cells in the human body.

The other mutation also occurred, including the famous infected minks. Professor Ravi Gupta of the University of Cambridge suggests that this mutation doubles infectivity, based on laboratory experiments. Studies from the same group suggest that the mutation makes the antibodies in the survivors’ blood less effective at fighting the virus.

Where did the coronavirus variant come from?

The most likely explanation is that the variant occurred in a patient with a weakened immune system that failed to defeat the virus. Instead, his body became a breeding ground for the virus.

There is no evidence to suggest that the mutation makes the infection more deadly, but this will need to be monitored.

However, simply increasing the number of infections would be enough to cause problems for hospitals.

Will COVID-19 vaccines work against the new variant?

Almost certainly, at least for now. All three main vaccines develop an immune response against the strain.

Vaccines train the immune system to attack many different parts of the virus, so even if some of them have mutated, vaccines should work.

“But if we let more mutations occur, then we have to worry,” said Professor Gupta. “The virus can get rid of the effects of the vaccine and has taken the first steps in this regard.”

The new variant shows that the virus continues to adapt as it infects more and more people.

A presentation by Prof. David Robertson from the University of Glasgow concluded: “The virus will probably be able to generate mutations that escape the vaccine. This would put us in a flu-like situation, where vaccines need to be updated regularly.

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