The coronavirus variant, which originated in the UK and has since been found in the United States, is probably more deadly than other versions of the virus, according to an assessment released by scientists with the British government on Friday.
The variant, known as B.1.1.7, is probably about 30% to 70% more deadly than the original strain, said scientists in the study, which was based on several databases across the country.
Scientists had previously determined that the variant was probably 30% to 70% more transmissible, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeting last month that “it may also be associated with a higher degree of mortality”.
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The new follow-up study, which looked at a larger sample of patients with COVID-19, appeared to confirm these beliefs.
“There is evidence from analyzing several different data sets that infection with VOC B1.1.7 is associated with an increased risk of hospitalization [sic] and death compared to infection with “other forms of the virus, the authors concluded.
The highly transmissible form of the virus has spread to more than 80 countries, including the United States, according to reports.
Colorado was the first US state to identify the mutation. Since then, it has been found in New York, California, Florida, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Indiana and Utah, among others.
After administering it with oxygen, Los Angeles County paramedics carry a potential patient COVID-19 in the ambulance before transporting him to a hospital in Hawthorne, California, on December 29, 2020. (Photo by APU GOMES / AFP via Getty Images)
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Last month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said more than 50 cases of the mutant coronavirus strain were identified in the U.S.
That number has already exceeded 70 cases and experts warned that the variant is probably already spread across the country.
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“These variants appear to spread more easily and quickly than other variants, which could lead to more cases of COVID-19,” according to the CDC. “An increase in the number of cases will put more pressure on health resources, lead to more hospitalizations and, potentially, more deaths.”
Experts believe that coronavirus vaccines will work against the variant – although other studies are working to confirm that assumption, added the CDC.
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Meanwhile, “rigorous and growing compliance with public health mitigation strategies, such as vaccination, physical distance, wearing masks, hand hygiene and isolation and quarantine, is essential to limit the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 and protect public health, “continued the agency.
Fox News’ Madeline Farber contributed to this report