The highly contagious COVID-19 variant, first detected in the UK, is now spreading rapidly in the US – according to a new study, it doubles approximately every 10 days.
Researchers have predicted that the strain known as B117 could become the most common in the country by next month, according to the study, which has yet to be judged by peers and was released on pre-print server MedRxiv on Sunday.
The group, led by scientists from the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California, has determined that the new variant arrived in the US as early as November.
Looking at genomic analyzes of the virus samples, they found that the mutation doubled approximately every week and a half.
In Florida, it is estimated that the new strain is now responsible for about 4 percent of all cases.
By comparison, the national rate is likely to be between 1 and 2 percent, researchers said.
The study estimated that its transmission rate was between 35 and 45 percent higher than other strains, which led researchers to warn that ‘immediate’ action was needed to prevent increases similar to those forcing new connections in the UK. .
“Our study shows that the US is on a similar path as in other countries where B.1.1.7 quickly became the dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant, requiring immediate and decisive action to reduce the disease and mortality of covid- 19 to the minimum, “the authors write. .
“These findings show 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,” they added.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has detected at least 611 cases of the strain in 33 states, although the variant is likely to be much more widespread, as genetic sequencing is not a standard practice.