Thread by @DrEricDing

BREAKING—“New variant" (mutation) of #SARSCoV2 has been identified, believed to be causing faster spread, UK Health Secretary said. Its spread is growing faster than existing variant, w/ over 1,000 cases found, "predominantly in south of England". #COVID19
news.sky.com/story/new-vari…

2) UK has notified the @WHO. The new variant was officially identified for first time last week. Hancock told MPs there is currently "nothing to suggest" this variant is more likely to cause serious symptoms, adding that it is highly unlikely that it won't respond to a vaccine.

3) We’ve seen mink mutations of #SARSCoV2 before too. But this is why we gotta stop this. The longer the virus circulates, the greater the chance of this happening more until one day we get really “unlucky”.

4) Here is the previous 🧵 of a mutation in minks that was then transmitted back to humans... and what it means 👇

https://twitter.com/drericding/status/1335419078446551041

5) “"And the latest clinical advice is that it's highly unlikely this mutation would fail to respond to a vaccine," he told MPs.
The WHO has been informed and government scientists are studying the new variant at its facility at Porton Down, Mr Hancock added.”

6) BBC coverage is similar. Based on same quotes.

"We've currently identified over 1,000 cases with this variant predominantly in the South of England although cases have been identified in nearly 60 different local authority areas.

bbc.com/news/health-55…

7) “"We do not know the extent to which this is because of the new variant but no matter its cause we have to take swift and decisive action which unfortunately is absolutely essential to control this deadly disease while the vaccine is rolled out."