Questions About the U.K.’s
Mutated COVID-19 Strain:, Answered.
A new, potentially more contagious strand of COVID-19 has
been identified in the U.K. and is causing worldwide panic. .
The variant, known as VUI-202012/0, has been linked
to a recent surge of COVID-19 cases in England. .
Here are answers to six pressing questions you might
have about the mutated COVID-19 strain. .
1. What is a variant?, According to the CDC,
a variant occurs when a virus’s
genetic structure changes.
Viruses mutate over time and variants are common
and trackable, as they carry a genetic fingerprint. .
2. Where did it originate
and how did it take hold?, According to the WHO and PHE,
the variant first emerged in southeast
England in September. .
Multiple experts think the variant was amplified
due to a superspreader event. This means that
human behavior may have caused the latest spike
in cases, not higher transmissibility. .
3. What countries have
been affected so far? , According to the WHO, the variant
has already been detected in Denmark,
the Netherlands, Australia and Italy.
4. Is it more deadly? , Chris Whitty, England's chief medical
officer, has said there is “no evidence” to
suggest the new variant is more deadly. .
Multiple experts have pointed out virus mutation typically
means more transmissibility and decreased mortality. .
5. Will the vaccine
work against it? , Whitty stressed on Saturday that
current vaccines should still work
against the new COVID-19 variant. .
Moncef Slaoui, head of Operation Warp Speed, echoed
his assurance on Sunday, saying there hasn’t been “a single
variant that would be resistant to the vaccine.” .
6. What measures are being
taken to contain it? , Large areas of England have been
put under strict COVID-19 restrictions
to reduce the virus’s spread. .
Dozens of countries across Europe and beyond
have also announced travel bans on the U.K.