As viruses spread it’s very common for new variants to emerge and Public Health England splits them into two categories:
VUI – Variant Under Investigation
When identified, each variant is investigated. As of 1st March 2021 there are three variants in this category, data can be seen here.
VOC – Variant of Concern
These are variants that have finished a risk assessment. We’ve listed the four you need to know below.
B117 – First detected in the UK
This is currently the most widespread variant in the UK and it has the potential for dominance worldwide. In the space of a few weeks it jumped from around 1% to 10% prevalence among US infected.
Unfortunately, studies that looked at B117 have linked it with higher chances of hospitalisation and severe symptoms, including death. On the plus side the current crop of vaccines are still scoring above the WHO’s recommended efficiency so the vaccine should keep it in line.
B1351 – First detected in South Africa
Symptoms of the South African variant are no more dangerous than the vanilla version of Covid-19 but we know it spreads much more quickly. The government’s well-publicised emergency surge testing in affected areas is intended to be a direct counter to the spreading speed of this version.
The research on how B1351 responds to vaccines is still ongoing but the first results suggested the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine could fall below the WHO recommendation. Regardless, they are working on adapting the vaccine to make it more effective.
P1/P2 – First detected in Brazil
Discovered in Japan on arrivals from Brazil, these new variants both come from B1128. As the newest variant it’s presumed to be uncommon in the UK but there is at least one infected person in the UK who health officials are frantically trying to trace before they spread it. Again, this is expected to be no more deadly but it does spread more easily.
As this one is brand new, no evidence has yet been put forward on how it reacts to the vaccine.
B1525 – Origin Unknown
This variant was discovered in testing in Edinburgh on samples brought in from around the world. They don’t know where it started but it appears similar to be similar to the UK’s B117 and presumably it behaves in the same way.
Will the variants extend lockdown?
The government’s roadmap relies on four safety tests before they relax the rules. The last test is whether the risks are changed by new Variants of Concern. If the new variants take hold and spread quickly or show resilience to the vaccine, there is a small chance the end of lockdown could be delayed.
How to protect against COVID-19 variants
This is where it gets easy! Social distancing, hand washing and masks are effective against all currently identified strains of Coronavirus. If we want to get out of this lockdown sooner and stay safe once we’re out, we just need to stick to the current guidance on hygiene and PPE.
With potentially more dangerous versions of Coronavirus out there, it’s more important than ever to wear the correct mask type and keep your hands clean. Visit our PPE shop to get your supplies at our lowest ever price, we’re shipping now so don’t miss out.
