UK New Strain of COVID-19 70% More Contagious, Already Had Nearly Two Dozen Mutations

On December 19, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced changes on COVID-19 restrictions because of the new strain found in the U.K., which is said to be more 70% more contagious. This prompted some European Union countries to either limit or ban flights from the U.K.

While viruses evolve naturally as, some more than others, new strains of the coronavirus have been found since it was first detected in China in December 2019. These new strains often acquire minimal changes in their genetic alphabet, but a bigger worry is when the virus mutates including surface protein, which could help it escape the immune system or drugs. Here's what is known about the UK New Strain of COVID-19.

According to the Dutch government, they decided to push the ban after the news of a new coronavirus strain infected the people in London. "We've now seen the emergence and spread of several variants," said Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center genetics expert and biologist Trevor Bedford on Twitter.

He added that while some strains have showed resistance to antibody treatments, Bedford is positive that a COVID-19 vaccine with a 95% "will bring the pandemic under control."

The U.K. prime minister has announced that London and Southeast England will be put back on "Tier 4″ lockdown as of December 20, which means household mixing will not be allowed during Christmas. "I must tell you we cannot continue with Christmas as planned," said Johnson as reported by Fox 8 Live.

Local health educator Dr. Eric Griggs said health leaders will be looking for trends and they will not wait for the new strain to further spread.

Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging Americans not to travel for holidays and to celebrate only with family members within their household.

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Written by CJ Robles