Mutations arise as the virus replicates, and this variant — known as B.1.1.7 — has acquired its own distinctive set of them. Most mutations that arise in the coronavirus are either harmful to the virus or have no effect one way or another. Still, the epidemiological evidence gathered so far from England does seem to suggest that this variant is very good at spreading. Over time, researchers have found, natural selection can favour mutant viruses that can evade the immune system. If the U.K. variant evolved to evade the immune system in immunocompromised patients, those adaptations might help it avoid vaccines.

Source: bd News24 December 22, 2020 04:30 UTC