SARS-CoV-2 VUI-202012/01

Strain of: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2

 Also known as:

• Lineage B.1.1.7 
• Variant Under Investigation in December 2020
  

 

Disclaimer:

At the timing of writing, COVID-19 has been a known clinical entity for just over one year. 

This is an area of intense active research. 

The information presented herein is likely to change many times as new evidence is gathered and reported.

 

Laconic

• A new strain of SARS-CoV-2 with significantly greater transmissibility.

 

Disease:

• Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• Pathophysiology

 

Probable origin:

• London, United Kingdom
• September 2020
  

 

Key mutations (compared to the first SARS-CoV-2 strain)

17 in total

• N501Y : point mutation from asparagine (N) to tyrosine (Y) in amino-acid site 501

 

Clinical consequences

• Significantly increased affinity for ACE2 receptor binding.
  
• Significantly higher viral load (on average).
• Over 70% increase in transmissibility.
• No obvious increase in morbidity or mortality.
  

 

See also:

• Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (First detected in China)
  
• SARS-CoV-2 Cluster 5 (First detected in Denmark)
  
• SARS-CoV-2 501.V2 Variant (First detected in South Africa)