Scientists don’t know exactly how much more transmissible the variant from India is than previous versions of the virus. More precise data is expected to be presented ahead of the government decision on whether to lift all remaining Covid-19 restrictions in England on June 21. The rise in U.K. cases linked to B.1.617.2 is a test of whether vaccines can successfully sever the tie between infection and hospitalization even if a more aggressive mutation of the coronavirus takes hold. Second, a single shot of vaccine is less effective at protecting against the B.1.617.2 variant than against the B.1.1.7 variant. All British adults are due to be offered at least one vaccine shot by the end of July.

Source: Mint May 29, 2021 16:12 UTC