Explainer - The new coronavirus variant in Britain: How worrying is it?


  • World
  • Monday, 21 Dec 2020

FILE PHOTO: People walk past the closed entrance of the Eurostar terminal at Brussels South railway station after Britain's European neighbors began closing their doors to travelers from the United Kingdom amid alarm about a rapidly spreading strain of coronavirus, in Brussels, Belgium December 21, 2020. REUTERS/Yves Herman

LONDON (Reuters) - A new variant of the pandemic SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is spreading rapidly in Britain and prompting high levels of concern among its European neighbours, some of which have cut transport links.

The strain, referred to by some experts as the B.1.1.7 lineage, is not the first new variant of the pandemic virus to emerge, but is said to be up to 70% more transmissible than the previously dominant strain in the United Kingdom.

Limited time offer:
Just RM5 per month.

Monthly Plan

RM13.90/month
RM5/month

Billed as RM5/month for the 1st 6 months then RM13.90 thereafters.

Annual Plan

RM12.33/month

Billed as RM148.00/year

1 month

Free Trial

For new subscribers only


Cancel anytime. No ads. Auto-renewal. Unlimited access to the web and app. Personalised features. Members rewards.
Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
   

Next In World

Canada's British Columbia calls off drug decriminalization pilot project
3 killed after building collapses in north Nigeria
Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler wins dismissal for good of sexual assault lawsuit
Chinese company to build photovoltaic factory in Saudi port
Nearly 23 pct of Canadian population reported food insecurity in 2022
Canada announces investment to grow semiconductor supply chain
U.S. stocks close higher
Feature: Chinese firms eager to showcase new products at Spain seafood fair
Slovenia's jobless rate falls to historic low
Crude futures settle higher

Others Also Read