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Yorkshire Times
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8:42 PM 4th March 2021
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Confirmed Cases Of COVID-19 Variants Identified In UK - 4 March 2021

 
Latest updates on SARS-CoV-2 variants detected in UK.

New Variant Under Investigation designated in the UK

Sixteen cases of a new variant, VUI-202102/04 (lineage B.1.1.318), have been identified in the UK. The variant has been designated a Variant Under Investigation (VUI) by Public Health England (PHE).

Cases of this variant, understood to have originated in the UK, were first identified on 15 February through genomic horizon scanning. All individuals who tested positive and their contacts have been traced and advised to isolate.

Following assessments, the variant was designated a VUI on 24 February. It contains the E484K mutation, which is also found in 2 existing VUIs present in the UK, but does not feature the N501Y mutation, present in all variants of concern (VOCs).

The addition of this variant as a VUI means there are now a total of 4 VUIs and 4 VOCs currently being tracked in the UK.

Cases with no travel links

As of 3 March:

a total of 59 cases of the variant VOC-202012/02, first detected in South Africa, have been found in England where no travel links could be established
a total of 26 cases of the variant VUI-202101/01, the P2 variant first detected in Brazil, have been found in England where no travel links could be established