- A variant of coronavirus originating in the United Kingdom is known to be more transmissible.
- Now scientists are saying that variant B.1.1.7 is probably more deadly than the original strain.
- The variant is spreading across the United States and at least 82 other countries.
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The coronavirus variant that originated in the United Kingdom is probably more deadly than the original strain, according to a new assessment released on Friday by British government scientists.
In the report, which evaluated several studies, the scientists estimated that the strain, known as B.1.1.7, could be 30% to 70% more deadly than the original virus.
Studies have already shown that the UK strain is more transmissible and Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced last month that it could also be “associated with a higher degree of mortality”.
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The assessment confirmed this concern, but the scientists also said that more extensive studies on the deaths would be needed.
Meanwhile, the most contagious variant circulates around the world and the United States. It has been detected in at least 82 countries, according to The New York Times. A study published earlier this month found that the UK variant was spreading so rapidly across the United States that the case count involving this strain was doubling every ten days.
“These findings show that B.1.1.7 is likely to become the dominant variant in many U.S. states in March 2021, leading to new outbreaks of COVID-19 in the country, unless urgent mitigation efforts are implemented immediately,” he said. the newspaper.
The study also said that the UK variant is 35% to 45% more transmissible than other strains that spread in the U.S. The scientists also expressed concern that the variant may be developing a mutation that would help it escape vaccines.
It is not yet clear why the UK variant may have a higher mortality rate. The scientists said a possible reason is that people infected with it may have a higher viral load, or more of the virus in their bodies, which is related to a more serious COVID-19, Insider reported.