(Covid variant first identified in Britain has 'significantly higher' mortality, study finds)

[nitpicker]

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/mar/10/coronavirus-live-news-brazil-sees-record-deaths-japan-may-stage-olympics-without-overseas-spectators

(snip)
1h ago
10:48

Covid variant first identified in Britain has 'significantly higher' mortality, study finds

The highly infectious British variant of Covid-19 is between 30% and 100% more deadly than previous strains, Reuters reports.

In a study that compared death rates among people in Britain infected with the new SARS-CoV-2 variant, known as B.1.1.7, against those infected with other strains, scientists said the new variant had “significantly higher” mortality.

The B.1.1.7 variant was first detected in Britain in September 2020, and has since been found in more than 100 countries.

It has 23 mutations in its genetic code - a relatively high number of changes - and some of these have made it far more able to spread. UK scientists say it is about 40%-70% more transmissible than previously dominant circulating coronavirus variants.

In the UK study, published in the British Medical Journal on Wednesday, infection with the new variant led to 227 deaths in a sample of 54,906 COVID-19 patients, compared with 141 among the same number of patients infected with other variants.
(snip)

[abqtommy]

1. ...

[bronxiteforever]

2. Kick and recommend for visibility

[Siwsan]

3. I think people who believe we'll be 'back to normal' soon are going to be very disappointed

Fortunately, I don't mind wearing a mask.

[Larissa]

8. Exactly. Please keep wearing your masks, people

Dr. Michael Osterholm is not the Cassandra that some suspected him to be. His idea of doing away with the second doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines in order to get more folks vaccinated may not be so extreme under the menace of the variant B.1.1.7. He advocates getting needles in everyone's arms ASAP. The timing of the "happy days are here again" attitude sweeping across some states is most unfortunate.


Virus Expert Sounds "Emergency" COVID Alarm

https://news.yahoo.com/virus-expert-sounds-emergency-covid-120158188.html

"We need to go into an emergency mode because of what is the approaching disaster with the B.1.1.7 variant," said epidemiologist Dr. Michael Osterholm on his podcast Monday.

Osterholm recommends delaying second doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and allocating those shots to people who haven't yet received their first dose, particularly those 65 years of age or older, because age is the greatest risk factor for severe illness, hospitalization and death.

"I believe we've lost our opportunity to save many lives in the weeks ahead," he said. "There is no mistaking. The approaching dark clouds are coming."

[bearsfootball516]

4. That strain has become the dominant strain in the US, or am I incorrect?

Maybe I'm a bit early, I remember reading that it would become the dominant strain in the US in March.

[nitpicker]

5. Not yet, but CDC predicted it will be

https://www.wwlp.com/news/health/coronavirus/uk-covid-19-variant-expected-to-become-predominant-strain-of-virus/

[nitpicker]

6. And Osterholm indicated it's currently 30-40%

[Larissa]

7. UPI: 'U.K.' Variant of COVID-19 Up to 100% More Deadly, Study Finds

https://www.upi.com/Health_News/2021/03/10/coronavirus-uk-variant-deadly-study/2271615385436/

March 10 (UPI) -- The "U.K." variant of the coronavirus is up to 100% more deadly than the original strains of the virus, according to a study published Wednesday by the British Medical Journal.

The B.1.1.7 variant, which was first identified in Kent, England, in September, led to 227 deaths in 54,906 infected patients, the data showed.