New research published this week has found the coronavirus variant originating in the United Kingdom, called B.1.1.7, is substantially more deadly than the original strain of SARS-CoV-2.
According to a paper published on Monday in the journal Nature , researchers estimate the UK variant is 55 per cent deadlier than earlier versions of the virus.
The findings are based on an analysis of more than one million people who tested positive for COVID-19 in England between September 2020 and February 2021.
Researchers found people infected with the variant were between 39 and 72 per cent more likely to die.
Another British study published recently found similar results.
B.1.1.7 was first identified in the U.K. last fall and by December it was detected in several other countries including Canada.
The good news, however, is that Covid-19 vaccines appear to be highly effective against the B.1.1.7 variant.
Scientists warned last week that the same variant is poised to drive a third surge of infections here in Ontario.