A new strain of the coronavirus that is spreading widely in the UK may already be circulating in the US, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said Tuesday.
The agency said in a scientific letter that scientists are working to better understand how easily it can be transmitted, and they don’t yet know why it emerged in the UK
“While a variant may predominate in a geographic area, that alone does not mean the variant is more contagious,” the CDC said.
The CDC noted that while the strain has not yet been detected in the US, it is likely already circulating.
“Continued travel between the UK and the US, as well as the high prevalence of this variant among current UK infections, increases the likelihood of imports. Given the small number of sequenced US infections, the variant could already be in the US. States without being discovered, ”said the CDC.
Viruses have only been sequenced from about 51,000 of the 17 million cases in the US, the agency said.
Different variants of viruses often appear or disappear by chance, the CDC said, which may be the case with the British strain – known as VUI 202012/01 for “variant under investigation.”
Alternatively, it may be on the rise because it is better suited to spread in humans.
The CDC acknowledged that “scientists in the UK were concerned about the” rapid change from a rare species to a common species, “but added” there is no evidence that this variant causes more serious disease or increased risk of death. . “
The coronavirus mutates regularly, the CDC said, acquiring about one new mutation in its genome every two weeks. Most commercial diagnostic tests are nevertheless able to detect the virus.
There is also no evidence yet that the new strain interferes with patients’ response to current coronavirus vaccines.
The CDC, along with state and local health departments, will launch a new surveillance system in January to track any genetic changes in the virus strains already identified and sequenced in the US.
The new variant has sparked a wave of travel restrictions to prevent spread outside the UK. However, countries of the European Union have taken a haphazard approach, which has resulted in major commercial disruptions. The sudden restrictions have also left many people stranded in airports.
Anthony Fauci
Anthony FauciWhite House Considering Requiring British Travelers to Pass Negative Coronavirus Test: Overnight Health Care Report: Congress Agrees 0 Stimulus Checks | House panel subpoenas for Azar, Redfield CDC documents | Fauci, Azar Get COVID-19 Vaccine Tuesday Ilhan Omar Says She Won’t Get Vaccine: ‘People Who Need It Most Should Get It’ MORE, the country’s top infectious disease doctor, has advised against a blanket travel ban in the US. Fauci called the idea “rather draconian” on Tuesday, noting that New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo
Andrew CuomoWashington Governor Requires 14-Day Quarantine For Travelers Arriving From UK, South Africa White House Considering British Travelers Negative Coronavirus Test: Report Overnight Health Care: Congress Must Pass 0 Stimulus Checks | House panel subpoenas for Azar, Redfield CDC documents | Fauci, Azar get MORE COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday (D) also discusses testing of all New York City arrivals.
“That’s a big difference from completely disabling travel and banning travel altogether, which is actually quite a dramatic step. That’s not really on the map right now, ”Fauci said on“ Good Morning America ”.
Fauci also said Americans should assume the British kind is “already here.”