Covid mutation comes as a stark reminder that this disease is not beaten yet The new variant appears to spread more quickly than the existing virus, with more than 1,000 cases found in 60 local authorities Britain’s battle against coronavirus was dealt an unexpected blow on Monday night when it emerged a mutation of the virus had been identified in Kent, and may be partly responsible for alarming rises in case numbers in the South. After last week’s mood of jubilation when the vaccination programme was rolled out, the discovery of a new, potentially aggressive variant, came as a stark reminder that this disease is not beaten yet.