Thread by @FLAHAULT

1/9 - ““The estimates on the transmission advantage are tightening,” said Professor Neil Ferguson, of Imperial College London. “A 60 to 70 per cent increase is now [scientists’] central estimate.”
ft.com/content/24743a…

2/9 - “Scientists said there was no evidence that B.1.1.7 is transmitted in a significantly different way from previous #SARSCoV2 strains or that it spreads more easily among children. The variant is just more contagious in every setting where people meet.”

3/9 - “Scientists’ conclusions about the increased transmissibility of the B.1.1.7 variant have been drawn primarily from epidemiological modelling of the way the strain has rapidly supplanted existing forms of coronavirus since its first known appearance in Kent in late Sept.”

4/9 - “At the same time virologists have shown that some of its 17 mutations enable the variant to enter human cells more easily.”

5/9 -“Although B.1.1.7 infections seemed to increase even faster among children than adults during the final months of the year, this was more likely a consequence of social rather than biological factors: schools were open but most adult routes of transmission were locked down.”

6/9 - ““While this variant may not be singling out children in any way, the effect of a general increase in transmissibility across all ages may still affect children uniquely but for societal reasons (schools) rather than biological ones,” said Prof Ferguson.”

7/9 - “One important factor that makes B.1.1.7 more transmissible is that people who are infected with the variant produce much more of the virus in their upper respiratory tract. “The amount of virus secreted per millilitre is increased three- to 10-fold.”

8/9 - ““The UK is now battling a strain that is far more easily transmitted,” the Trades Union Congress said. “Yet the rules have not been fully updated and . . . this is putting workers at risk.”

9/9 - “These viruses predominantly infect as a consequence of person-to-person contact so restricting contact, wearing face masks and avoiding overcrowded, poorly ventilated inside spaces will prevent transmission.”