Explained: A mutated coronavirus has been detected in the UK. What are its implications?
A mutated variant of the novel coronavirus has been associated with recent infections in England. What is it? What does it mean for people s response to vaccines? Is the strain in India? Updated: December 23, 2020 7:29:22 am
A mutation means a change in the genetic sequence of the virus. In the case of SARS-CoV-2, which is an RNA virus, a mutation means a change in the sequence in which its molecules are arranged.
A mutated variant of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV2 has been associated with recent infections in England. The question being raised is whether the mutation could affect people’s response to vaccines and scientists say this is unlikely. The virus has undergone several mutations since it first infected humans, which scientists say is neither unexpected nor a cause for panic.