December 30, 2020

Anna Murray 

Researchers of Public Health England (PHE) have studied the new B.1.1.7 coronavirus variant spreading in England. The new coronavirus variant was first known in the UK in September. Up to date, it has spread out to more than 18 other countries worldwide, including Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Sweden, and the US.

According to PHE's study, researchers compared 1,769 people infected with the new variant with 1,769 who had the original variant of SARS-CoV-2. In comparison, the new B.1.1.7 strain does not appear to cause more serious illness or increased mortality. However, the PHE researchers with Birmingham University have proved that B.1.1.7 will cause higher levels of coronavirus in the upper respiratory tract. They found high levels of coronavirus in 35% of the new variant patients, while only 10％ of coronavirus patients are under such condition. Therefore, what they can do is continuing their investigations to follow the new coronavirus variant.

Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center in Seattle has been cataloging and analyzing genetic changes from collected specimens in the coronavirus since the COVID-19 pandemic commenced in March. The Center also confirmed the new variant is more contagious.

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