Vallance warns of 'increased’ measures due to COVID strain
Covid has killed more than 70,000 people in the UK, with the number of cases continuing to rise across the country. The rapid spread of the infection has been partially attributed to a new variant of the coronavirus, which appears to spread more easily than the original COVID-19 virus. But what does that mean for the public?
Covid cases have skyrocketed since the start of December – particularly in London, the South East of England, and the East of England.
In some parts of the country, the number of coronavirus cases per 100,000 have doubled within seven days.
This sharp rise in positive coronavirus tests has largely been attributed to a new mutation in the virus.
The Covid variant appears to be up to 70 percent more transmissible.
READ MORE: Is Argos still open in tier 4?
We will use your email address only for sending you newsletters. Please see our Privacy Notice for details of your data protection rights.
What is the new Covid strain?
The coronavirus variant has been named VUI-202012/01, and has 14 mutations to the virus of note.
Seven of these mutations have been identified in the virus’s spike protein – part of the virus that unlocks the door to human cells.
The UK’s large genomic sequencing sector was the first in the world to identify this new strain.
That doesn’t necessarily mean that the mutation originated in the UK, but certainly there appears to be a larger proportion of the virus in England.
DON’T MISS
Will the Covid vaccine work on the new coronavirus variant? [ANALYSIS]
UK’s coronavirus strain may be more able to infect children [LATEST]
Is it illegal to leave Tier 4? [EXPLAINER]
Is the new Covid strain more dangerous?
We still don’t know enough about the Covid variant to categorically state whether it’s more dangerous.
But, scientists are almost certain that it’s more transmissible.
That means it’s more easily spread among the population, which may trigger even more cases of the infection.
Most of the new variant’s cases have been reported in the South East and London, where Covid cases have risen exponentially over recent weeks.
What does this mean for the public?
At the moment, this all means that it’s even more important to stay vigilant against the virus.
It could be even easier for you to become infected with COVID-19 – particularly if you live in a tier 4 area, where the variant is growing.
Make sure to maintain your two metre social distancing, cover your face in public, and always wash your hands for 20 seconds after returning home.
The best way to avoid becoming infected – and to help eventually end all of these Covid restrictions – is to stay at home.
Will the vaccine still work against the new Covid variant?
Scientists still aren’t entirely sure how the mutation will impact the vaccine.
But, the jabs have a very large antibody response, so the vaccines’ effectiveness isn’t expected to be affected by the mutation.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock confirmed that it was “highly unlikely” the new Covid strain would make the vaccine ineffective.
If you’re eligible for the Covid vaccine, it’s absolutely crucial that you get the jab as soon as possible.
Source: Read Full Article