New coronavirus strain spreading in UK has key mutations

 British scientists try to determine whether the rapid spread in southern England of a replacement variant of the virus that causes COVID-19 is linked to key mutations they need detected in the strain, they said on Tuesday.

The mutations include changes to the important “spike” protein that the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus uses to infect human cells, a gaggle of scientists tracking the genetics of the virus said, but it is not yet clear whether these are making it more infectious.

“Efforts are under thanks to confirm whether or not any of those mutations are contributing to increased transmission,” the scientists, from the COVID-19 Genomics UK (COG-UK) Consortium, said during a statement.

The new variant, which UK scientists have named “VUI 202012/01” includes a mutation within the “spike” protein, which - in theory - could end in COVID-19 spreading more easily between people.

The British government on Monday cited an increase in new infections, which it said could also be partly linked to the new variant, because it moved its capital city and lots of other areas into the very best tier of COVID-19 restrictions.

As of Dec 20. COVID-19 cases with the new variant had been identified, predominantly within the south and east of England, Public Health England said during a statement.

But there's currently no evidence that the variant is more likely to cause severe COVID-19 infections, the scientists said, or that it might render vaccines less effective.

“Both questions require further studies performed at pace,” the COG-UK scientists said.

Mutations, or genetic changes, arise naturally altogether viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, as they replicate and circulate in human populations.

In the case of SARS-CoV-2, these mutations are accumulating at a rate of around one to 2 mutations per month globally, consistent with the COG-UK genetics specialists.

“As a results of this on-going process, many thousands of mutations have already arisen within the SARS-CoV-2 genome since the virus emerged in 2019,” they said.

The majority of the mutations seen thus far have had no apparent effect on the virus, and only a minority are likely to vary the virus in any significant way - for instance , making it more ready to infect people, more likely to cause severe illness, or less sensitive to natural or vaccine-induced immune defences.

Susan Hopkins, a PHE medical advisor, said it's “not unexpected that the virus should evolve and it is vital that we spot any changes quickly to know the potential risk.”