ATLANTA, GA-Viruses constantly change through mutation, and new variants of a virus are expected to occur over time. Multiple variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 have been documented in the United States and globally during this pandemic.
Since November 2020, the United Kingdom (UK) has reported a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases in London and southeast England. This rapid increase in cases has been linked to a different version—or variant—of the virus that causes COVID-19. It is still very early in the identification of this variant, so we have a great deal to learn, and more studies are needed.
What we know
Viruses constantly change through mutation, and new variants of a virus are expected to occur over time. Sometimes new variants emerge and disappear. Other times, new variants emerge and start infecting people. Multiple variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 have been documented in the United States and globally during this pandemic.
The virus that causes COVID-19 is a type of coronavirus, a large family of viruses. Coronaviruses are named for the crown-like spikes on their surfaces. Scientists monitor changes in the virus, including changes to the spikes on the surface of the virus. These studies, including genetic analyses of the virus, are helping us understand how changes to the virus might affect how it spreads and what happens to people who are infected with it.
Recent reports indicate that about 6 in 10 cases reported in London are caused by the new variant. Genetic analysis of the new variant shows changes to the spikes on the virus and to other parts of the virus. Initial studies suggest that the new variant may spread more easily from person to person. So far, scientists in the UK see no evidence that infections by this variant cause more severe disease.
What we do not know
It is still very early in the identification of this variant, so we have a great deal to learn. More studies on the new variant are needed to understand
- How widely the new variant has spread in the UK and potentially around the world
- How the new variant differs from earlier variants
- How the disease caused by this variant differs from the disease caused by other variants that are currently circulating
What it means
Public health officials are quickly studying the new variant to learn more so that they can control its spread. They want to understand whether the new variant
- Spreads more easily from person to person
- Causes milder or more severe disease in people
- Is detected by currently available viral tests
- Responds to medicines currently being used to treat people for COVID-19
- Affects the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines. There is no evidence that this is occurring, and most experts believe this is unlikely to occur because of the nature of the virus.
Some countries have announced travel bans to and from the UK while scientists work to better understand the new variant.
What CDC is doing
CDC is monitoring the situation in the UK and communicating with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. CDC and state and local health departments are continually monitoring and studying the virus spreading in the United States to quickly detect any changes. As new information becomes available, CDC will provide updates.
