Covid: Mutation of Kent strain found in Bristol is labelled ‘variant of concern’
Mutation known as E484K has been observed in 21 sequences of the Kent variant, analysis shows
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A mutated version of the coronavirus variant first detected in Kent has been classified as a cause for “concern” by scientific advisers to the government.
Analysis from Public Health England (PHE) has shown that the mutation known as E484K has been observed in 21 sequences of Kent variant B117.
This particular mutation changes the shape of the virus’ spike protein – which is responsible for gaining entry to human cells – in a way that makes it less recognisable to the body’s immune system and more resistant to the current generation of Covid vaccines.
Of the 21 cases linked to the newly-classified “variant of concern”, which has been labelled VOC-202102/02, 14 were based in Bristol, four in Manchester, and the remaining three were scattered across England.
E484K features in the genetic make-up of both the South African and Brazilian variants, and now genome sequencing has identified natural occurrences of this highly concerning mutation in B117.
PHE said that a second variant identified in Liverpool, which also carries the E484K mutation, has been placed under investigation. A total of 55 cases have been linked to this variant.
Health officials said they have “a high degree of confidence that the vaccines will work against variants”.
There are now four "variants of concern" of the virus that causes Covid-19 identified by the government’s New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (NERVTAG).
Three of these variants have been found in the UK, which has one of the most established genetic surveillance networks in the world, allowing scientists to track new mutations when they emerge and evolve.
Dr Susan Hopkins, from PHE, told a press briefing on Tuesday: “I think it’s important to note that the E484K mutation in particular has been emerging and disappearing over time, in multiple lineages and multiple variants, since April last year.
“But clearly with it on top of what we know about the transmissibility of B117, the dominant variant in the UK, we’re monitoring it with particular concern.”
In response to the new and emerging variants, the government has announced it is deploying additional surge testing and sequencing to targeted areas around Worcestershire, Sefton in Liverpool, and areas in Bristol, South Gloucestershire and Manchester.
Extra coronavirus testing will also be carried out in Lambeth, south London, following the detection of the South African coronavirus variant, known as B1351.
A total of 170 cases linked to B1351 have been identified in England to date.
PHE said that 18 of these infections were unlinked to travel to South Africa, pointing to community-based transmission of the virus.
Meanwhile, surge testing carried out in Woking is now complete, the Department of Health and Social Care said.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments