England reports new variant of SARS-CoV-2

By NewsDesk  @bactiman63

Health officials in England are reporting a new variant of the virus that causes COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) has been identified across the South East of England.

The variant has been named ‘VUI – 202012/01’ (the first Variant Under Investigation in December 2020) following an increase in cases seen in Kent and London.

As of 13 December, 1,108 cases with this variant have been identified, predominantly in the South and East of England.

There is currently no evidence to suggest that the strain has any impact on disease severity, antibody response or vaccine efficacy.

Public Health England (PHE) will monitor the impact of this in the coming days and weeks.

It is not uncommon for viruses to undergo mutations; seasonal influenza mutates every year. Variants of SARS-CoV-2 have been observed in other countries, such as Spain.

This variant includes a mutation in the ‘spike’ protein. Changes in this part of the spike protein may result in the virus becoming more infectious and spreading more easily between people.

• SARS-CoV-2 in minks in Sweden not the same variant found in Denmark
• China reports H5N6 avian influenza death in Jiangsu Province
• Costa Rica COVID-19 cases top 150K, Vaccines to arrive in the first quarter of 2021
• Syracuse: Rosamond Gifford Zoo loses second elephant calf to herpes virus
• Majority of pregnant women who tested positive for COVID-19 were asymptomatic, according to study
• AMA Statement on FDA Authorization of First COVID-19 Vaccine
• FDA issues EUA for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine
• Researchers evaluate face masks and coverings as protection against COVID-19