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Biology of N501Y, A Novel U.K. Coronavirus Strain, Explained In Detail
[Updated 01/2021] On its (also called VUI-202012/01 or B.1.1.7) evolution, emergence, mutations, virulence, and transmissibility science knows so far.
A new SARS-CoV-2 strain called N501Y has been spreading widely in London and south-east England. “The spread is being driven by the new variant of the virus,” the U.K. Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, said in a press conference. “It appears to spread more easily and may be up to 70% more transmissable than the earlier strain.” This new strain caused about 60% of SARS-CoV-2 infections in London, reported Chris Whitty, England's chief medical officer. As a result, the country was initiating a lockdown yesterday. Many other countries have also restricted travel from the U.K.
Anyways, let’s see what the scientific literature has to say on this newly emerged SARS-CoV-2 strain.
Its evolution
Scientists believe that the N501Y strain evolved in single or a few individuals, rather than mutations accumulating slowly over iterations of virus infections in many different people. In those fighting Covid-19 for an extended duration, SARS-CoV-2 may have mutated at a high rate to keep up with the on-going…
