Another new coronavirus variant now detected in 13 countries

A new variant of coronavirus has been detected in UK prompting authorities to initiate door to door testing. As per a report published by University of Edinburgh, new strain has also been detected in 12 or countries including Nigeria and US. variant has been named B.1.125 and contains a specific mutation in spike protein that might make existing vaccines jabs less effective.

As per a report by Guardian, mutation-E48K- has also been found in previously detected UK, South African and Brazilian variant. Speaking to British media outlet, Simon Clarke, an associate professor of cellular microbiology at University of Reing said that it was because of E484K  variant that South African variant has been resisitant to vaccine ding that it could be similar for this new variant too.

Re: UK Variant Of COVID-19 Is Probably More Lethal, Scientists Say

Re: Japan Confirms Cases Of New Coronavirus Variant

This is second variant of COVID-19 detected in Britan with first being detected in December last month. Earlier this month, British scientists said that new variant of COVID-19 virus, first detected in United Kingdom, is likely linked to increased hospitalisation and higher mortality rate. In a new study, British government scientists have supported earlier ory that new variant is not just highly contagious but also more lethal, contributing to increased deaths in country. Scientists h earlier said re is a "realistic possibility" new variant may be contributing to increased deaths, now y say it is "likely" it is causing more deaths than all or previous mutations of virus. 

Re: UK Variant Of COVID-19 Detected In Auckland, Confirms PM Jacinda Ardern

Re: COVID-19: Amazon Variant 'three Times More Contagious,' Says Brazilian Health Minister

COVID-19 situation in UK

UK is witnessing a second wave at moment, which is likely being fuelled by new strain of COVID-19 virus. As of  February 20, UK has recorded more than 4,095,269 and over 119,920 COVID-19  related deaths. UK has passed its peak from recording an average of over 50,000 new cases to now at 15,000 cases per day. However, infection rate is still high compared to some of or nations in most affected countries' list.