CDC warns UK coronavirus mutation might be the dominant strain in the US by March

[Chris Smith]

• The CDC modeled the transmission of the highly contagious UK coronavirus mutation and found the strain could become dominant by March, fueling another surge.
• The model took into account the current spread in the US, existing COVID-19 immunity in the population, and the effects of vaccines.
• The CDC urges the population to follow safety measures more than ever and advises higher vaccination coverage and increased testing to reduce the spread of the B.1.1.7 strain.

The coronavirus variant that emerged in the UK in September became dominant by December in several regions, prompting health experts and the government to implement stricter measures to contain the spread. But the B.1.1.7 mutation was already fueling a record wave of COVID-19 in Great Britain. The new strain features several mutations that make it more infectious than its precursor, but B.1.1.7 does not lead to more severe COVID-19.

The UK mutation doesn’t infect COVID-19 survivors, and current vaccines are still effective against B.1.1.7. But the coronavirus variant is spreading globally, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a new study warning that B.1.1.7 could become dominant in the US by March. The CDC is urging people to respect health measures that are already in place. Combined with vaccinations, these measures can reduce transmission and prevent further surges that can put additional strain on health care resources and lead to further loss of life.

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CDC warns UK coronavirus mutation might be the dominant strain in the US by March originally appeared on BGR.com on Mon, 18 Jan 2021 at 18:11:40 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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