What do we know about UK variant of Covid-19?
The UK variant of Covid-19 is the new, deadlier and more transmissible version of coronavirus.
It was first detected in September 2020 in south-east England (Kent) and its rapid spread over the following months was cited as the reason for the introduction of new lockdown rules across the UK in January. Many experts believe that the variant appears to be mutating yet again.
Since then, the virus has travelled to distant places around the world (more than 50 countries), including reaching New Zealand a couple of weeks ago when it was detected and managed at our borders.
Notably there are other new variants (South Africa – found in at least 20 countries) and a variant from Brazil.
While jury is still out on how much deadlier the virus becomes after each mutation, because in some cases the changes that they acquire after each mutation might be insignificant.
However, for the UK variant there is some research suggesting it may be associated with a 30% higher risk of death. The evidence is not strong, and the data is still uncertain though.
The United Kingdom (UK) identified a variant called B.1.1.7 with a large number of mutations in the fall of 2020. This variant spreads more easily and quickly than other variants. In January 2021, experts in the UK reported that this variant may be associated with an increased risk of death compared to other variant viruses, but more studies are needed to confirm this finding. It has since been detected in many countries around the world. This variant was first detected in the US at the end of December 2020.
In South Africa, another variant called B.1.351 emerged independently of B.1.1.7. Originally detected in early October 2020, B.1.351 shares some mutations with B.1.1.7. Cases caused by this variant have been reported in the US at the end of January 2021.
In Brazil, a variant called P.1 emerged that was first identified in travelers from Brazil, who were tested during routine screening at an airport in Japan, in early January. This variant contains a set of additional mutations that may affect its ability to be recognized by antibodies. This variant was first detected in the US at the end of January 2021.
These variants seem to spread more easily and quickly than other variants, which may lead to more cases of COVID-19. An increase in the number of cases will put more strain on health care resources, lead to more hospitalizations, and potentially more deaths.
So far, studies suggest that antibodies generated through vaccination with currently authorized vaccines recognize these variants. This is being closely investigated and more studies are underway.
The governments and public health agencies all around the world are relying on rigorous and increased compliance with public health mitigation strategies, such as vaccination, physical distancing, use of masks, hand hygiene, and isolation and quarantine - to limit the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 and protect public health.
The UK variant of Covid-19 is the new, deadlier and more transmissible version of coronavirus.
It was first detected in September 2020 in south-east England (Kent) and its rapid spread over the following months was cited as the reason for the introduction of new lockdown rules across the UK in...
The UK variant of Covid-19 is the new, deadlier and more transmissible version of coronavirus.
It was first detected in September 2020 in south-east England (Kent) and its rapid spread over the following months was cited as the reason for the introduction of new lockdown rules across the UK in January. Many experts believe that the variant appears to be mutating yet again.
Since then, the virus has travelled to distant places around the world (more than 50 countries), including reaching New Zealand a couple of weeks ago when it was detected and managed at our borders.
Notably there are other new variants (South Africa – found in at least 20 countries) and a variant from Brazil.
While jury is still out on how much deadlier the virus becomes after each mutation, because in some cases the changes that they acquire after each mutation might be insignificant.
However, for the UK variant there is some research suggesting it may be associated with a 30% higher risk of death. The evidence is not strong, and the data is still uncertain though.
The United Kingdom (UK) identified a variant called B.1.1.7 with a large number of mutations in the fall of 2020. This variant spreads more easily and quickly than other variants. In January 2021, experts in the UK reported that this variant may be associated with an increased risk of death compared to other variant viruses, but more studies are needed to confirm this finding. It has since been detected in many countries around the world. This variant was first detected in the US at the end of December 2020.
In South Africa, another variant called B.1.351 emerged independently of B.1.1.7. Originally detected in early October 2020, B.1.351 shares some mutations with B.1.1.7. Cases caused by this variant have been reported in the US at the end of January 2021.
In Brazil, a variant called P.1 emerged that was first identified in travelers from Brazil, who were tested during routine screening at an airport in Japan, in early January. This variant contains a set of additional mutations that may affect its ability to be recognized by antibodies. This variant was first detected in the US at the end of January 2021.
These variants seem to spread more easily and quickly than other variants, which may lead to more cases of COVID-19. An increase in the number of cases will put more strain on health care resources, lead to more hospitalizations, and potentially more deaths.
So far, studies suggest that antibodies generated through vaccination with currently authorized vaccines recognize these variants. This is being closely investigated and more studies are underway.
The governments and public health agencies all around the world are relying on rigorous and increased compliance with public health mitigation strategies, such as vaccination, physical distancing, use of masks, hand hygiene, and isolation and quarantine - to limit the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 and protect public health.
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