The highly contagious variant COVID-19 first detected in the United Kingdom is spreading rapidly in the United States – doubling every 10 days, according to a new study.
The researchers predicted that the strain known as B117 could become the most widespread in the country by next month, according to the study, which has not yet been evaluated by colleagues and was launched on Sunday on the MedRxiv prepress server.
The group led by scientists at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California, determined that the new variant arrived in the US in November.
Looking at genomic analysis of virus samples, they found that the mutation doubled in frequency every week and a half.
In Florida, it is estimated that the new strain will now be responsible for about 4% of all cases.
By comparison, the national rate is likely to be between 1 and 2 percent, the researchers said.
The study estimated that its transmission rate was 35 to 45 percent higher than other strains – prompting researchers to warn that “immediate” action is needed to prevent increases similar to those that forced new blockades in the UK.
“Our study shows that the US is on a similar trajectory to other countries where B.1.1.7 has quickly become the dominant variant of SARS-CoV-2, requiring immediate and decisive action to minimize covid-19 morbidity and mortality.” the authors wrote.
“These findings show that B.1.1.7 will likely become the dominant option in many US states by March 2021, leading to further increases in COVID-19 in the country,” they added.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have detected at least 611 strains in 33 states, although the variant is likely to be more widespread, as genetic sequencing is not a standard practice.