COVID Q&A
Do we know much about this new strain, and is it a threat to children?
Q What more do we know about the new Covid strain?
A On Friday, Imperial College London published its study into the new Covid variant and concluded there was a ‘huge difference’ in how easily it spreads.
Scientists at the university have studied the increasing prevalence of the variant since early autumn, and now say it is 54 per cent more infectious than the normal strain.
Professor Axel Gandy, a statistician who was involved in the study, said: ‘This is the most serious change in the virus since the epidemic began.’
Thankfully the report does not suggest the variant is any more deadly, and experts believe, despite the mutations, it will not impact the effectiveness of vaccines.
However, Professor Jim Naismith, a biologist at the University of Oxford, said the strain could have ‘dire consequences’ and called for tighter restrictions on the public.
He added: ‘Unless we do something different, the new virus strain is going to continue to spread, meaning more infections, more hospitalisations and more deaths. The NHS is under serious strain, and without a change this will get worse.
‘Had we not had the November lockdown, we would most likely have overloaded the NHS already. This lesson needs to be learned.’
Q Is the new strain more infectious in children?
A On Tuesday, Public Health England issued its own report into the new variant, specifically looking at its effect on children.
While cases across all age groups rose in December due to the prevalence of the new strain, Public Health England say there is no evidence that it is more able to infect children.
It has been commonly understood throughout the pandemic that primary-age children are less likely to catch Covid, with rates at about half those of their secondary-school counterparts.
Despite this, many scientists are now urging the Government to shut all schools to battle the spread of the variant, and on Friday Education Secretary Gavin Williamson performed a U-turn when he announced all primary schools in London would not open for the start of the new term.
Professor Neil Ferguson, an epidemiologist and senior adviser to the Government on lockdown restrictions, said: ‘Clearly nobody wants to keep schools shut. But if that’s the only alternative to having exponentially growing numbers of hospitalisations, that may be required at least for a period.’