UK COVID-19 variant may carry higher risk of death but data limited: journalist cites advisory group
JANUARY 22, 2021 1:05 PMUPDATED 23 MINUTES AGO
UK COVID-19 variant may carry higher risk of death but data limited: journalist cites advisory group
By Reuters Staff
2 MIN READ
LONDON (Reuters) - The COVID-19 variant identified in England last month could carry a higher risk of causing death although data is limited, according to one of the government’s scientific advisory groups, ITV political editor Robert Peston said on Twitter on Friday.
While the new variant is more contagious, Britain’s chief health and science officials have so far said there was no evidence that it was more lethal or caused more serious illness.
However, Peston said the government’s New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (Nervtag) had now concluded it “may be a bit more lethal than the existing strain”.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-britain-variant/uk-covid-19-variant-may-carry-higher-risk-of-death-but-data-limited-journalist-cites-advisory-group-idUSKBN29R24R