New Coronavirus Strain Found in United Kingdom and South Africa

The United Kingdom and South Africa have a new strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that has been reported to spread more easily, The Associated Press (AP) reports.

The World Health Organization (WHO) identified the new strain of coronavirus in southeastern England in September; it has been circulating in the area since then. The news strain also was detected in Australia. According to experts, the U.K. strain has two changes from the previous strain reported during April in Sweden, including eight mutations to the spike protein. The South African strain has two changes seen before plus other variations.

Researchers at the University of Cambridge in England posted a report of the new strain on a website scientists use to quickly share developments. The U.K. strain can “move fast and is becoming the dominant variant” and will be responsible for over 60% of infections in London by December, according to Patrick Vallance, British government’s chief scientific adviser.

Experts in the U.K. and U.S. believe the new strain might be more infectious than the original, according to USA Today. It is reported that the new strain has nearly two dozen mutations and some are on the spiky protein of the virus, which is the one that attaches itself and infects cells. This spike is what current COVID-19 vaccines are targeting.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered tighter restrictions in the U.K. ahead of the upcoming holidays including socialization restrictions on Christmas Day and stay-at-home orders in London and southeast England. At least 24 countries are now banning passenger travel from the UK, including Canada, Russia, France, Chile, Italy, Iran and Sweden, according to CNN. Belgium also halted train travel.

Vivek Murthy, president-elect Joe Biden’s nominee for surgeon general, told Americans on Sunday’s “Meet the Press” news program on NBC not to let the new strain of coronavirus shake their faith in the new vaccination.