The coronavirus variant, first identified in the UK, spreads more easily than older strains, but it does not lead to a serious illness among hospitalized patients, a new study has found.
People who were infected with the variant known as B.1.1.7 late last year had more viruses in their bodies than patients infected with older strains, a sign that the newer variant is more contagious, according to the study. Was published online Monday by the medical journal. The Lancet Infectious Diseases. However, the patients admitted to the hospital with B.1.1.7 did not die at higher doses or had worse results.
The findings contribute to scientists’ understanding of the impact of B.1.1.7, which has become particularly important now that tensions have prevailed in the UK, the US and some other countries.
“If you need hospitalization, you are not worse off with this variant compared to the previous virus strain,” said Eleni Nastouli, a clinical virologist and pediatrician at University College London.
“Of course, it’s worrying if you need hospital admission for Covid,” she added. “But it’s no more than the previous tension.”