Mutant coronavirus strain is among us as Leicester area named among 57 places it has been detected
The Covid-19 Genomics UK Consortium has been monitoring the spread
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New Covid strain ‘started with one patient in Kent amid fears it’s triggered explosive outbreaks in schools’
Vanessa Chalmers, Digital Health Reporter
23 Dec 2020, 15:41
Updated: 23 Dec 2020, 15:42
THE new strain of Covid most likely evolved in one patient in Kent, scientists believe.
And they fear the variant gripping the UK is the cause of “explosive” outbreaks of cases in schools and care homes.
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Professor Neil Ferguson said experts were looking closely at whether the new strain has caused outbreaks in schools, care homes and hospitalsCredit: PA:Press Association
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It comes amid concerns the virus is more easily spread among childrenCredit: AFP - Getty
Strain infectious, but not more lethal: Govt hindustantimes.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from hindustantimes.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
THE mutant strain of coronavirus blamed for a surge in cases across south east England has been identified near Braintree, scientists say. Experts say the strain - known as VUI-202012/01 - is 70 per cent more transmissible and fear it is now present in most parts of the UK. But Braintree is one of 57 areas in the UK which has had confirmed cases with the new strain, the Covid-19 Genomics UK Consortium (COG-UK) monitoring group have said. It is the only place in Essex where the strain has been confirmed. Braintree has seen a huge rise in cases since the start of December and is now close to recording 1,000 Covid-19 cases a week.
New Covid strain: how dangerous is it, and could it hamper a vaccine? telegraph.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from telegraph.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.