A new version of the novel coronavirus does not appear to cause illness worse than other variants, according to a similar study by Public Health England.
Scientists say the new variant – which was discovered in England in mid-December and prompted other countries to impose travel restrictions to the UK – could spread more quickly. Several other countries have reported changes.
Under the study, researchers compared 1,769 people with the new variant with 1,769 who had what they described as a “wild-type” virus. Both groups were matched 1: 1 by age, gender, place of residence and time of trial.
Of the 42 people admitted to the hospital, 16 were infected with the new variant while 26 cases had wild-type infection, according to the study. In terms of mortality, 12 deaths died in variable cases compared to 10 deaths in wild type cases.
Results from the cohort study found no statistically significant in-hospital and 28-day case mortality between cases with the relatively variable cases and wild type.
There was no significant difference in the likelihood of relapse with the new variant compared to the other variables, the study said.
However, the study found that the “secondary attack rate”, or the proportion of linked cases of confirmed cases that develop disease themselves, was higher in people with the new variant.
Britain reported 53,135 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, the highest number since major tests began in mid-2020.