A variant first discovered in California in December is more contagious than earlier forms of the coronavirus, two new studies showed.
The findings fuel concerns that emerging mutants could blunt the sharp decline in new cases in the state and perhaps elsewhere.
Some experts said the new variant was concerning but unlikely to create as much a burden as the variant that originated in Britain, where it swiftly became the dominant form of the virus and overloaded hospitals there.
Researchers have been looking more closely at the new variant, known as B.1.427/B.1.429, to pinpoint its origin and track its spread. It has shown up in 45 states to date as well as in several other countries, including Australia, Denmark, Mexico and Taiwan, but it has taken off only in California.
Source – NYT
