This article is very light on details.<p>Here’s a better one:<p>“Update on new SARS-CoV-2 variant and how COG-UK tracks emerging mutations” Dec 14, 2020
<a href="https://www.cogconsortium.uk/news_item/update-on-new-sars-cov-2-variant-and-how-cog-uk-tracks-emerging-mutations/" rel="nofollow">https://www.cogconsortium.uk/news_item/update-on-new-sars-co...</a><p>Edit: Here’s a report:<p>“Preliminary genomic characterisation of an emergent SARS-CoV-2 lineage in the UK defined by a novel set of spike mutations”<p><i>Recently a distinct phylogenetic cluster (named lineage B.1.1.7) was detected within the COG-UK surveillance dataset. This cluster has been growing rapidly over the past 4 weeks and since been observed in other UK locations, indicating further spread.</i><p><i>Several aspects of this cluster are noteworthy for epidemiological and biological reasons and we report preliminary findings below. In summary:</i>
<i>• The B.1.1.7 lineage accounts for an increasing proportion of cases in parts of England.</i><p><i>• The number of B.1.1.7 cases, and the number of regions reporting B.1.1.7 infections, are growing.</i><p><i>• B.1.1.7 has an unusually large number of genetic changes, particularly in the spike protein.</i><p><a href="https://virological.org/t/preliminary-genomic-characterisation-of-an-emergent-sars-cov-2-lineage-in-the-uk-defined-by-a-novel-set-of-spike-mutations/563" rel="nofollow">https://virological.org/t/preliminary-genomic-characterisati...</a>
> “If allowed to go unchecked, the new variant of the virus could increase the country’s R rate, which is estimated to be between 1.1 and 1.2, by 0.4 per cent.”<p>I wonder if the author actually meant 40%.
Something strange was happening in the UK rates in the last few weeks. Despite a second lockdown, cases in London started increasing again, and areas in 'Tier 3' (highest tier restrictions) also started increasing cases post-lockdown. This was despite other areas continuing to drop cases despite having the same measures. Apparently the areas that had started rising were correlated with percentage prevalence of this new strain, which at the moment is known to be present in the UK, but might have come from abroad, or travelled already.<p>As a result of this, I can see the vaccination programme getting a huge rocket, as it looks like lockdown and highest restrictions aren't decreasing cases - which is potentially disastrous for containing the virus, and stopping the hospitals get overwhelmed at a time when they normally operate at full capacity.<p>Christmas relaxation rules have been cancelled in the UK, which has caused much disappointment to my family and friends. Understandable, but no less disappointing.
One wonders if the virus is now "airborne"? Is that something viruses can actually do, ontop of being passed on through water droplets after coughing/sneezing.
Important to note that this has been known since early summer. There are multiple strains of SARS-Cov-2, and the original Wuhan strain is almost nonexistent in the US at this point. The mutated strain, while much more infectious, is actually much less deadly at the same time.
If some relevant mutation happens and we are forced to update the vaccines, which seems to not be so difficult for the new mRNA vaccines (pfizer and moderna ones), will it need to pass through all clinical tests again ?