The COVID-19 variant identified in England last month could carry a higher risk of causing death although data is limited, according to one of the government’s scientific advisory groups, ITV political editor Robert Peston said on Twitter on Friday.
Early evidence suggests the variant of coronavirus that emerged in the UK may be more deadly, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said.
“In addition to spreading more quickly, it also now appears that there is some evidence that the new variant – the variant that was first identified in London and the south east – may be associated with a higher degree of mortality,” Johnson said.
“It’s largely the impact of this new variant that means the NHS is under such intense pressure.”
While the new variant is more contagious, Britain’s chief health and science officials have so far said there was no evidence that it was more lethal or caused more serious illness.
However, Peston said the government’s New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (Nervtag) had now concluded it “may be a bit more lethal than the existing strain.”
Read more at NEWSMAX.
{Matzav.com}
