'Some evidence' UK Covid variant more deadly than original virus, PM says

22 January 2021, 17:04 | Updated: 23 January 2021, 07:15

New variant of Covid may be more deadly than original virus

Nick Hardinges

By Nick Hardinges

There is "some evidence" the new UK Covid variant is more deadly than the original virus, Boris Johnson has announced.

The prime minister said in addition to spreading more quickly, there is some evidence the new strain of coronavirus first identified in South East England "may be associated with a higher degree of mortality".

Mr Johnson was speaking alongside Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for England Professor Chris Whitty and the government's Chief Scientific Adviser (CSA) Sir Patrick Vallance during the Downing Street press briefing.

READ MORE: Scientists warn over need for 'prolonged' lockdown

It comes after the UK recorded a further 1,401 Covid-related deaths as of Friday, bringing the country's death toll to 95,981.

The prime minister told the press conference: "I must tell you this afternoon that we've been informed today that, in addition to spreading more quickly, it also now appears that there is some evidence that the new variant, the variant that was first identified in London and the South East, may be associated with a higher degree of mortality."

Read more: Another 1,401 deaths from Covid-19 reported in the UK

Exclusive: Sadiq Khan calls for airport quarantine hotels for UK arrivals

Boris Johnson confirmed there is some evidence the new Covid variant is more deadly than the original
Boris Johnson confirmed there is some evidence the new Covid variant is more deadly than the original. Picture: PA

Clarifying Mr Johnson's comments, Sir Patrick said there is very early, "uncertain" evidence that is "not yet strong" that the UK variant is slightly more deadly than the older strain.

But he explained that if you took a sample of 1,000 men in their 60s with the original virus, roughly 10 would be likely to die. Whereas with the new strain, the death toll would be between 13 and 14.

The CSA also warned the variants which had emerged in South Africa and Brazil may be less susceptible to the vaccines that have been developed.

"We know less about how much more transmissible they are. We are more concerned that they have certain features that they might be less susceptible to vaccines," he said.

"They are definitely of more concern than the one in the UK at the moment and we need to keep looking at it and studying it very carefully."

Read more: Police break up 150-person wedding at north London school

Read more: British tourists unlikely to be allowed into Spain 'until end of summer'

Current evidence shows vaccines are effect against new variant

However, he added that there is growing evidence from multiple sources that vaccines will work against the UK strain.

"There's increasing evidence from laboratory studies that the variant in the UK will be susceptible to the vaccines," he said.

"There's increasing confidence coupled with a very important clinical observation that individuals who have been infected previously and have generated antibodies appear to be equally protected against original virus and new variant."

Sir Patrick also said the UK strain transmits up to 70 per cent more easily than the original virus and that it can affect "anybody at any age".

Meanwhile, Mr Johnson told the briefing that there are 38,562 people in hospital with coronavirus, which is more than three-quarters higher than the first peak in April.

Read more: New hard-hitting government Covid advert urges nation to 'stay at home'

Read more: Professor Chris Whitty defends second Covid vaccine dose delay

Patrick Vallance outlines evidence showing new variant is more deadly

"It's more important than ever that we all remain vigilant in following the rules and that we stay at home, protect the NHS and thereby save lives," the prime minister said.

He added: "All current evidence continues to show that both the vaccines we're currently using remain effective both against the old variant and this new variant."

The UK leader also said deaths will remain high for at least "a little while to come".

Sir Patrick echoed the prime minister, saying the "awful" death rate will stay "high for a little while" before declining, regardless of the impact of the new strain.

"The death rate is awful and it's going to stay, I'm afraid, high for a little while before it starts coming down, that was always what was predicted from the shape of this.

"I think the information about the new variant doesn't change that."

Listen & subscribe: Global Player | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Kemi Badenoch has been elected as the new Conservative Party leader

Kemi Badenoch says it is 'enormous honour' to be elected new leader of Conservative Party

Janey Godley has died at the age of 63

Scottish comedian Janey Godley died in hospital 'surrounded by her loved ones' aged 63 following battle with cancer

Exclusive
Anthony Scaramucci

Anthony Scaramucci says 'garbage' comments made at Trump rally have 'lit up' Puerto Ricans - and could swing election

billy nighy

Billy Nighy 'stole complete works of Shakespeare from library' to prepare for drama school audition

v

Winner in Conservative leadership contest to be announced this morning

Palma is on lockdown amid warnings of heavy rain

Majorca on lockdown as tourist hotspot faces flooding horror after storm kills more than 200

UK GP visiting senior woman at home

Care homes and GPs could face closure under Labour tax plans, health leaders warn

Rebekah Vardy 'threatens to reignite war with Coleen Rooney'

Rebekah Vardy launches appeal against Wagatha Christie £1.8m costs ruling

Alexandra Palace Hosts Its Annual Fireworks Display Ahead Of Bonfire Night

Bonfire night 2024 forecast: What will the weather be like for fireworks night?

Darrian Williams

Two teen boys found guilty after 16-year-old stabbed to death by masked attackers in Bristol park

Westminster Protest

'Betrayed' farmers to protest over Labour's inheritance tax raid - as Chancellor insists changes are 'fair'

The teen was left to die by the side of road.

Six teenagers arrested after 13-year-old girl left with life-threatening injuries in East Yorkshire stabbing

Israel claims to have killed a high-ranking member of Hamas

Israel 'eliminates' one of Hamas' last high-ranking officials

Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales attend a Service of Thanksgiving to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee

King Charles 'finally cuts Prince Andrew off' as he 'axes Duke's annual £1m allowance'

Claw hammer-wielding public schoolboy who attacked sleeping students and teacher handed life sentence

Pictured: Public schoolboy, 17, who attacked sleeping students and teacher with hammers he kept 'for zombie apocalypse'

Emergency and rescue personnel work at the site where a concrete outdoor roof of a train station collapsed in the northern Serbian city of Novi Sad

Train station canopy collapses in Serbia, killing 8 people in horror accident, with more victims still trapped in rubble