By Melissa Cox
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A new highly contagious strain of COVID-19 has been spreading throughout the UK, predominantly in London, South East and East England. This new strain has been named “VUI-202012/01”. It is currently believed that this new strain is up to 70 per cent more contagious, however, this figure is still being investigated as scientists study the strain in more detail. VUI-202012/01 poses such a large threat due to the way it has mutated, making it harder for our immune systems to detect the virus.
This could potentially have an effect on the effectiveness of vaccines if this strain continues to mutate further, as it could possibly evade the effects of current vaccines. However, coronavirus vaccines have been made to target multiple aspects of the virus, so the vaccine becoming entirely useless is highly unlikely. Scientists have explained that it is likely that as COVID-19 continues to mutate there will be a need to produce different vaccines to keep up with the changes, the same as what is done for the Influenza vaccine each year.
The main concern over the new strain is how easily transmittable it is, which has already resulted in a spike in cases. It is also worrying scientists that the new strain has already begun to replace other variants of COVID-19, particularly in London. The new strain has been traced back to early this September, showing just how fast it has managed to override older strains in a matter of months. Health Secretary Matt Hancock explained to the Commons last week that, “Initial analysis suggests that this variant is growing faster than the existing variants.”
The emergence of VUI-202012/01 resulted in the government introducing new, tighter restrictions for areas most affected. The majority of the South of England has found themselves in Tier 4, as well as Christmas restrictions being tightened. The government’s Chief Scientific Advisor, Patrick Vallance has warned people that as the new strain spreads throughout the UK, other places could be seeing a move into Tier 4 restrictions. From Boxing Day and onwards, up to 6 million more people in the East and South East of England will be put into Tier 4.
The new variant of COVID-19 has already begun to put massive amounts of pressure on hospitals throughout the country. Cases have now risen by 57 per cent, and hospital admissions are back up to the same rates as they were in April. The new strain means more hospital admissions, as daily infected numbers reach over 30,000. Luckily, for now, no evidence suggests that this new strain is more deadly than other strains, it is just more easily transmittable.
The new strain has also been found in Italy, Denmark, the Netherlands, Gibraltar and Australia. As people have been allowed to continuously travel internationally from the UK, it is highly likely that this new strain has reached various other countries. The cases of the new strain found in the countries mentioned above were travellers who had recently arrived from the UK, such as Australia and Italy. Other countries are now trying to find any evidence of the new strain emerging in other places as quickly as possible, due to the significance of the mutation.
Over 50 countries have now put travel restrictions on travellers from the UK, most EU member states have started to block travellers from the UK in fears of inviting in the new strain. Countries outside of Europe such as South Korea, Canada, India and more have suspended flights incoming from the UK for a period. Other countries such as Japan are still allowing those travelling to the UK to enter the country, however, testing 72 hours prior to arrival is required and other precautions are needed once landed.
VUI-202012/01 is concerning due to the steep increase in daily cases and a rise in hospital admissions. However, a positive is that there is not yet evidence showing that the new strain will cause more deaths and severe cases. Symptoms also seem to be the same, a high temperature, a dry persistent cough and a loss in taste/smell. Scientists are still researching into the strain in more detail, so it will take some more time to be able to see the bigger picture regarding the effects of this new strain of the virus.
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