The coronavirus variant that originated in the UK is probably more deadly than the original strain, according to a new assessment released Friday by British government scientists.
In the report, which evaluated multiple studies, the scientists estimated that the strain, known as B.1.1.7, could be 30% to 70% more deadly than the original virus.
Studies have already shown that the UK strain is more transmissible and Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced last month that it could also be “associated with a higher degree of mortality”.
The assessment confirmed this concern, but scientists also said more extensive studies on deaths would be needed.
Meanwhile, the most contagious variant has been circulating around the world and the United States. According to the document, it has been detected in at least 82 countries The New York Times. A study published earlier this month found that the UK variant spread so rapidly across the United States that the count of cases related to this strain doubled every ten days.
“These findings show that B.1.1.7 is likely to become the dominant variant in many US states in March 2021, leading to further increases in COVID-19 in the country, unless urgent mitigation efforts are implemented immediately. “, states the document.
The study also said the UK variant is 35% to 45% more transmissible than other strains that spread to the US. Scientists have also expressed concern that the variant could develop a mutation that would help it bypass vaccines.
It is still unclear why the UK variant may have a higher mortality rate. Scientists have claimed that one possible reason is that people who become infected there may have a higher or higher viral load of the virus in the body, which is related to a more severe COVID-19, Insider reports.
This article was originally published by Business Insider.
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