Covid variants have become a major source of concern this year, as several are popping up in different countries. Brazil, South Africa and the United Kingdom all reported different local versions of the base virus, which surfaced in Wuhan last year. They have improved infectious abilities and in some cases higher mortality rates.
How many Covid variants come from the UK?
The United Kingdom is one of three countries that have discovered a local variant.
It is an outgrowth of the virus that has contracted a mutation called E484K, which is causing concern in the scientific community.
Variants are inevitable, especially during pandemics, because they provide different environments where they can adapt and develop.
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Sharon Peacock, director of the consortium, testified to the effectiveness of her organization.
She said most countries without an operational program would struggle to identify variants.
Professor Peacock said: ‘If you’re going to find something anywhere, you’ll probably find it here first.
“And if [a variant] occur in places where there is no order, you will not find it at all. ‘