Schools could be closed for all of January amid fears that the mutant coronavirus strain spreads more easily among children. But officials admit it would be an ‘important moment’ if it’s found that children are now able to spread the virus as easily as adults. But in attempt to calm fears about the variant, he added: 'Scientifically, it is highly likely that the immune response by this vaccine also can deal with the new virus variant.' 'We are not aware of an increase in children and we don't have data of an increase in children.' Professor Susan Hopkins, deputy director of its National Infection Service, said: 'Further studies are being undertaken to better understand the characteristics of the variant virus.

Source: Daily Mail December 22, 2020 22:08 UTC