In December, the first case of the B.1.1.7 variant was identified in the United States . According to the data , B.1.1.7 may be more lethal. but distinguishable by the presence of either the B.1.1.7 variant or a previous strain of the virus. Those testing positive for the B.1.1.7 variant had an estimated 64% higher risk of dying compared to those with other viral strains -- sounds scary! Naturally, we would have preferred to learn that the B.1.1.7 variant was not associated with any increase in mortality.

Source: CNN March 12, 2021 01:18 UTC