They have been on the frontline since the rapid spread of the mutant variant of Covid-19 set alarm bells ringing in Downing Street two days ago. One reason for the Government’s Christmas U-turn is that the mutant strain appears to dramatically increase the R rate. Experts say it could take to two weeks to complete the process amid fears supplies of the Pfizer vaccine will run out next month. Britain has ordered 100million doses of the Oxford jab on top of 40million of the Pfizer vaccine. They want to find out why the mutant strain moves so fast, why it has become dominant – and if it is vulnerable to vaccines.

Source: Daily Mirror December 19, 2020 22:25 UTC