Covid-19: What we know about the British and South African variant?

As it spreads, Sars-CoV-2 or Covid-19 undergoes mutations, most of which are of no consequence. However, two new variants; B117 (UK) and V2 (South Africa) puzzle scientists and the international community.

Both Covid-19 mutants have a higher transmission capacity than the first strain of the virus. The British variant is 50-70% more contagious than Sars-CoV-2. Its reproduction rate is 0.4 to 0.7 times higher. For the South African variant there is not much data available.

Up to now, no study indicates that the two new variants are characterized by a higher Infectivity than Covid-19. Their high transmissibility is the most feared since it results in an increased risk of hospitalization and death.

What is reassuring is that experts believe that current vaccines will be effective against the new strains. However, if needed, BioNTech assures that a vaccine for both variants of Covid-19 can be delivered in six weeks.

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