LONDON – British officials warned on Friday that a coronavirus variant first identified in the UK could be more deadly and transmissible than previous versions of the pathogen.
The conclusions of scientists advising the British government are still very uncertain. But British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in a televised speech that the variant – which caused Covid-19 infections to spread across the UK and spread rapidly in the US – could result in higher mortality rates.
U.S. federal health authorities have said it is likely to become the dominant variant in the U.S. in March.
‘We have been informed today that, in addition to faster distribution, it also appears that there is evidence that the new variant – the variant first identified in London and the South East – may be associated with a higher degree of mortality, ”said Mr. Johnson said.
The preliminary conclusions come as British hospitals treat more Covid-19 patients than ever during the pandemic. The Covid-19 death toll in the UK is expected to reach 100,000 in the coming week.