Study warns of COVID-19 variant B117 transmissibility, resurgenceA modeling study published yesterday in Science projects increased transmissibility of the B117 strain of COVID-19, also known as the UK strain, and warns that the strain could likely cause a resurgence of high virus activity in the United Kingdom and make 2021 a deadlier year than 2020.B117 was first recognized in the United Kingdom in November 2020.
By Feb 15, the authors said, the variant accounted for approximately 95% of new SARS-CoV-2 infections in England, and has now been identified in at least 82 countries, including the United States.The authors of the study used the relative population growth rate of B117 in the first 31 days following its initial observation.