(Newser)
– The B117 coronavirus variant first detected in the United Kingdom, now the most common strain in the United States, has been temporarily associated with high transmissibility, more serious disease, and a higher risk of death. But a new study seems to contradict some of these findings. Posted Monday a Lancet infectious diseases, finds that hospitalized patients infected with the strain did not experience more severe symptoms or a higher risk of death than those hospitalized with another strain. The variant believed to have emerged in England in September was, however, found to be more contagious than the original strains, according to NPR. The researchers collected samples from 341 patients at two London hospitals between November 9 and December 20. This revealed that 58% were infected with variant B117 and 42% were infected with another strain.
Patients with variant B117 had more viruses in their bodies, suggesting that the strain is more contagious, the Wall Street Journal. But the severity of the symptoms was the same in both groups. “If you need hospitalization, you are no worse off with this variant compared to the previous strain of the virus,” concludes lead author Eleni Nastouli of University College London. Nicholas Davies, of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, who co-authored a March study that found that variant B117 had a 55% higher risk of death than pre-existing variants, says the new study it does not necessarily contradict its focus on hospitalized patients. According to a Danish study, the strain is “more likely to land you in the hospital.” Other experts say more research is needed to reach consensus. (Tuesday brought bad news about the J&J vaccine).