'New Covid variant result of virus' attempt to adapt, highly infective'

The new mutation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, comes with a "greater degree of infectivity", and therefore even if the virulence--or the severity--is the same as the earlier strain of the virus, we will see more patients progress to severe disease and more deaths from COVID-19, says K. Srinath Reddy, president of the Public Health Foundation India.

The variant is being found in the south and east of England, and is believed to be the reason behind the rapid surge of cases there. As a result, many countries--including India--have suspended flights to and from the UK.

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