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The South African variant of coronavirus, known as B.1.351, has mutations on its outer spike proteins that change the shape of the virus in a way that makes it look different to the body than older versions of the virus. Because the immune system’s antibodies are so specific, any change in the part of the … Read more
Germany will shut its borders with Austria and the Czech Republic from Sunday in a bid to keep out the more infectious mutated UK variant of Covid-19. The country’s southern state of Bavaria, which borders with Austria and the Czech Republic, has already detected variants of the virus in more than 10 percent of confirmed … Read more
Boris Johnson tonight warned that Britain cannot close its borders completely to prevent mutant coronavirus strains getting in as he revealed details of ‘quarantine hotels’ will finally be announced tomorrow. The PM insisted ‘shutting ourselves off completely’ is not an option because the countries relies heavily on imports of food and medicine. But he said … Read more
French blockade of British border over mutant Covid strain that left thousands of HGV drivers stranded and sparked chaos at ports cost Kent Police £1.2m, figures reveal Emmanuel Macron ordered closure of the border with the UK on December 20 Thousands of HGV drivers spent Christmas parked in laybys near Port of Dover Freedom of … Read more
Porton Down scientists are ‘confident’ that all mutant strains of coronavirus can be beaten with vaccines Porton Down scientists increasingly confident vaccines will counter new strains Research lab says this includes the so-called South African and Kent variants British firm ConserV Bioscience’s vaccine aims to protect against all strains By Mail on Sunday Reporter Published: … Read more
Danish scientists believe the Kent variant of coronavirus is less infectious than previously thought. Analysis at the State Serum Institute in Copenhagen found the mutant strain, scientifically known as B.1.1.7, is 36 per cent more infectious than previous variants. This number is significantly lower than the 70 per cent figure first cited by Prime Minister Boris … Read more
The highly-infectious coronavirus variant B.1.1.7 which emerged in Kent in September 2020 had reached the US by November 6, new research shows. It is thought to have mutated inside a single patient in England struggling with a critical case of Covid-19 which forced the virus to adapt, changing its genetic code. University of Arizona researchers … Read more
Scanning sewage for new coronavirus variants is a viable strategy for speeding up detection of new strains which may be more infectious, a study has found. Wastewater analysis has previously been identified as a good way of spotting signs of local infection, but now Covid is rife around the world the focus has shifted towards … Read more
ANOTHER mutant strain of COVID is discovered in Japan – as experts warn it’s similar to highly contagious UK and South Africa variants Unseen strain found in Japan after plane passengers tested positive for virus Four men and women, in their teens to 40s, were found to have the new strain They had arrived at … Read more
New mutant strain of coronavirus that is surging through Britain is more contagious because it replicates in the throat, says study Birmingham University study found Covid variant patients had ‘high viral loads’ Swabs taken from throat of those with latest strain had higher levels of Covid Michael Kidd, who lead study, said findings could explain how … Read more