New Covid variant linked to higher viral load in respiratory samples
by Natalie Grover from on (#5C7GD)
Preliminary analysis suggests higher load makes B117 variant easier to spread to other people
The hypothesis that the fast-spreading UK variant of the Covid-19 virus has a transmission advantage has been bolstered by an analysis that suggests it is linked to higher loads of the virus in respiratory samples.
The variant, named B117, was discovered during an investigation into why coronavirus cases in Kent continued to rise during the November lockdown. Scientists found it continued to spread during the restrictions while older variants declined.
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