Global spread of UK coronavirus variant could overwhelm health systems

New Scientist Default Image — Efforts are under way to contain a new variant in Pretoria, South Africa

THE more infectious coronavirus variant from the UK has gone global, causing fears that it could lead to a new wave of infections and deaths around the world in coming months if not brought under control. That brings new urgency to vaccination efforts.

The B.1.1.7 variant has so far been reported in 55 countries. There is no evidence that it is more deadly, nor that it is yet spreading locally outside Europe and North America. But initial studies suggest that …