The coronavirus variant that originated in the UK is probably more deadly than the original strain, according to a new assessment released by British scientists on Friday.
In the report, in which several studies were evaluated, the scientists estimated that the strain, known as B.1.1.7, could be 30 to 70 percent more deadly than the original virus.
Studies have already shown that the British tension is more transferable and Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced last month that it could also ‘be associated with a higher rate of deaths’.
The assessment confirms the concern, but the scientists also said more extensive studies on deaths should be done.
Meanwhile, the more contagious variant has spread throughout the world and the US. It has been detected in at least 82 countries The New York Times. In a study published earlier this month, the British variant was found to spread so rapidly across the US that the number of cases of the strain doubled approximately every ten days.
“These findings indicate that B.1.1.7 is likely to become the dominant variant in many U.S. states by March 2021, leading to further increases in COVID-19 in the country unless urgent mitigation efforts are implemented immediately,” the newspaper said. .
The study also said that the British variant is 35 to 45 percent more transmissible than other strains distributed in the US. Scientists have also expressed concern that the variant could develop a mutation that could help it evade vaccines.
It is not yet clear why the British variant may have a higher mortality rate. Scientists said one possible reason is that people who become infected with it may have a higher virus load or more of the virus in their bodies, which has been linked to worse COVID-19, reports Insider.
This article was originally published by Business Insider.
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