Experts in the UK believe that the new variant of coronavirus first detected in the UK may be more deadly. The UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson said that in addition to spreading more quickly the new variant may also be associated with a higher degree of mortality.
Experts in the UK have drawn evidence by comparing death rates in people infected with the new and the old variant of the virus.
It was found that the new variant spreads between 30 per cent and 70 per cent faster than the old one. Experts have also said it may be about 30 per cent more deadly than the old versions of the virus.
The BBC report explains that if a thousand 60-year-olds are infected with the old variant, 10 of them might be expected to die. But with the new variant, it is expected that 13 might die.
However, the Pfizer and Oxford-Astrazeneca vaccines are both expected to work against the new variant. It was first detected in the UK in September and has now spread to more than 50 other countries worldwide. India also reported 150 cases of this variant as of today.
The UK government is also taking measures to prevent the two other variants that emerged in South Africa and Brazil from entering the country. The UK government banned travel from South America, Portugal and many African countries last week. And anyone flying into the UK is required to show proof of negative COVID-19 test taken 72 hours before departure and undergo quarantine on arrival.
Phub Gyem
