A new version of SARS-CoV2 sourced from the UK has been shown to be much larger … [+]
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A new version of the recently discovered SARS-CoV2 coronavirus in the UK is much more portable, according to a new study published yesterday.
The scientist-led work at Imperial College London was published as a pre-publication, meaning that it has not yet been reviewed by external experts to evaluate the effectiveness of the methods and results.
The research combined genetic sequence data and epidemiological results to conclude that the SARS-CoV2 B.1.1.7 variant was likely to increase the R number between 0.4 and 0.7 compared to other variables. This means that a person with Covid-19 caused by the B.1.1.7 version is more likely to infect more people than if they have another version of the virus.
“These analyzes, which informed the UK government’s design in recent weeks, show that the new strain of virus, B.1.1.7, has a much higher spread than SARS-CoV viruses. -2 who were circulating in the UK, ”said Dr Neil Ferguson. , one of the experts from Imperial College London involved in the study. “This will make control more difficult and put pressure on the vaccine to be rolled out as quickly as possible,” said Ferguson.
The variant, known as B.1.1.7, was first identified in the UK in September, but has since quickly become the most common variant in large parts of the UK, particularly the densely populated London population. and the Southeast. Due to explosive growth and frequency in these areas, there was a suspicion that the new variant may be more flexible, but this study provides important evidence to show that this is true.
The UK currently suffers the highest number of Covid-19 cases and deaths, with over 53,000 new cases and nearly 1,000 daily deaths was reported yesterday. Most of the UK is now under the highest level of restrictions; “Level 4” and experts urge even greater vigilance and compliance with existing public health measures to reduce the spread of the virus as well as the rapid and effective distribution of vaccines.
“We now have two approved vaccines, but this research underlines the importance of doing what we can to reduce the spread of the virus while the vaccines are being dispensed,” said Dr Meera. Chand, Event Director for Covid-19 at Public Health England. “The basics are still very important: Keep a social pace and keep to the constraints that are in place,” Chand said.
This is a news story that may be updated as more information becomes available.