COVID Q&A Is Kent virus more deadly, and does AZ jab cause blood clots?

Q Is the Kent Covid variant even deadlier than the original one?

A It appears so. On Wednesday, the results of a British study suggested the Kent coronavirus variant is 64 per cent deadlier than the original version.

The variant, which spreads 70 per cent faster than previous variants, was first detected in the south of England last November. It has since been recorded in more than 50 other countries.

In January, research suggesting it may also be more deadly was met with scepticism. But now, the researchers have backed up their original report with new data.

They compared results from 55,000 Britons who were infected with the Kent variant and found that, after taking into account factors such as age, weight and health conditions, the variant killed roughly one in every 250 people it infected – twice as many as the original Wuhan variant.

Dr Robert Challen, a mathematician from the University of Exeter and lead author of the study, said: ‘In the community, death from Covid19 is still a rare event, but the Kent variant raises the risk.

‘Coupled with its ability to spread rapidly, this makes it a threat that should be taken seriously.’

Q I’ve heard the OxfordAstraZeneca vaccine can cause blood clots – is this true?

A Last week, a number of countries suspended the use of the AstraZeneca jab following reports of about 30 people developing blood clots after receiving the vaccine.

A blood clot is a clump of blood cells that build up in the veins. It can be deadly if it breaks away and travels elsewhere in the body.

Denmark, Norway, Bulgaria, and Thailand have all imposed temporary suspensions of the UK-based jab.

But both the EU and UK Government’s drug watchdogs have strongly denied any link between the vaccine and blood clots.

More than 16million AstraZeneca jabs have been administered across Europe and the UK, with little-to-no serious side effects reported.

‘There is currently no indication that vaccination has caused these conditions, which are not listed as side effects with this vaccine,’ the European Medicines Agency said on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the UK’s drug watchdog – the MHRA – said: ‘Blood clots can occur naturally and are not uncommon.

‘More than 11million doses of the Covid-19 AstraZeneca vaccine have now been administered across the UK.’

The agency added there were no plans to suspend the vaccine in Britain.

Adam Finn, professor of paediatrics at the University of Bristol, said of the AstraZeneca vaccine: ‘There is no sign anywhere, including the UK where very large numbers of doses have now been given, that blood clot-related illnesses are happening any more frequently than usual.’

Q Why can’t we end lockdown early if cases are continuing to fall?

A The UK recorded its lowest levels of Covid-19 since mid-September last week, with a weekly average of less than 6,000 cases a day.

Deaths have now fallen to an average of 160 a day – the lowest rate since October and far fewer daily deaths than many of our European neighbours. It is thought deaths could fall even more rapidly as vaccine supply increases further over the coming weeks.

The good news has led many, including several senior MPs, to question why we need to wait until June 21 before we lift all restrictions.

But experts say that the ‘deliberately cautious’ five-week gap between each step is crucial.

With children back at school, experts are expecting a spike in infections.

Similar rises could also be seen when six people are allowed to gather outside at the end of March and when indoor dining returns in May.

The Government has pledged to tolerate a rise in infections – as long as it does not lead to a rise in hospitalisations.

Although the majority of atrisk people will be protected from severe illness, thanks to vaccination, thousands will still remain unprotected due to vaccine refusal.

And in roughly ten per cent of people, the jab fails to prevent against severe Covid-19.

The five-week gap is therefore crucial to allow scientists to analyse the knockon effect of each step, and conclude if it is safe to move on to the next.