I understand that many people are concerned about the new variant of the Covid-19 coronavirus which has been identified in the UK. The scientific investigations carried out so far suggest that it does not cause a more severe form of illness than the existing strain. However, the evidence also suggests it is transmitted more easily from person to person. Therefore it is even more vital that people follow the guidance on social distancing and hygiene.
It is because the new variant has spread more quickly through certain parts of the country that we now have the Tier 4 restrictions and have had to reduce contact between households generally over Christmas.
The new variant of the virus contains some differences in its genetic makeup. These differences were identified first in the UK because we have a world-leading capability in genome sequencing. It is very likely that the variant is also present in other countries, but they have not yet identified it in their testing.
In the UK we have several different scientific bodies working to analyse the Covid virus. This work underpins all aspects of our response, from tackling its symptoms in individual cases, to how we design the vaccines which will give us immunity to it. Just under half of all Covid-19 genome sequencing done globally has been done by UK laboratories taking part in the COG-UK consortium.
There is more information on the COG-UK consortium on this link COG-UK Consortium – COVID-19 Genomics UK Consortium (cogconsortium.uk)
It is normal for viruses to change and develop into new variants, and it does not necessarily imply that in doing so they become more dangerous. The common flu vaccine often changes from year to year, because new variants of it are identified as they evolve and circulate. We are able to design vaccines to counter these changes. Scientists are confident that the variations in Covid-19 identified so far will be dealt with by the vaccines arriving now. The work of tackling Covid-19 will be ongoing even as the population is vaccinated, to monitor new variants as they evolve and ensure that our vaccines remain current and effective.
I understand other countries are limiting travel and movement of freight with the UK at present. I hope that these limitations can be removed once those countries have looked at the data the UK is making available on the new variant. The new variant is not just a UK issue, and reports are emerging that the new variant identified in the UK is also driving increases in cases in other countries, including in EU members.
