In the United Kingdom (UK), a new variant strain of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus, has been detected and it’s predicted that this new variant to potentially be more rapidly transmissible than other circulating strains of SARS-CoV-2.
“A new variant strain of SARS-CoV-2 that contains a series of mutations has been described in the United Kingdom (UK) and become highly prevalent in London and southeast England. Based on these mutations, this variant strain has been predicted to potentially be more rapidly transmissible than other circulating strains of SARS-CoV-2.”
– Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The new variant in the UK is referred to as the “SARS-CoV-2 VOC 202012/01” (i.e., the first variant of concern from 2020, December), or “B.1.1.7.”
Furthermore, according to WHO, the new variant was picked up as part of an epidemiological and virological investigation initiated earlier in December 2020 following an unexpected rise in coronavirus cases in South East England.
And, a total of 1108 cases infected with SARS-CoV-2 VUI 202012/01 have been detected in the UK as of December 13, 2020.
Also, here are UK preliminary reports about the new variant:
The following are more details of the new variant according to the CDC:
It was stated by CDC that VOC 202012/01 has 14 non-synonymous (amino acid [AA] altering) mutations, 6 synonymous (non-AA altering), and 3 deletions.
It was added by CDC, the said “variant has a mutation in the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein at position 501, where amino acid asparagine (N) has been replaced with tyrosine (Y). The shorthand for this mutation is N501Y, sometimes noted as S:N501Y to specify that it is in the spike protein.”
Furthermore, the variant carries many other mutations, including the following:
The following are the potential consequences of the said mutations:
Authorities in the UK has announced on December 19 that affected areas would be subject to Tier 4 restrictions which include the following:
In addition, it was stated by WHO that the new VUI-202012/01 variant has been identified in several countries which include:
Here are reminders from WHO to reduce the general risk of transmission of acute respiratory infections:
Today, December 23, 2020, it was announced through the official Facebook page of the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson that all United Kindom (UK) flights to the Philippines will be temporarily suspended starting tomorrow, December 24, 2020 (Thursday).
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