By UK Covid warning issued as Kent varient evolves
A mutation of the Kent variant detected in some samples could help the virus evade the immune system, scientists have found.
The mutation, which has been labelled E484K, has also been found in the South Africa variant of the coronavirus.
It was found in 11 samples of some 200,000 that have been sequenced.
Public Health England issued a warning after additional mutations were detected in samples of the Kent coronavirus variant. Prof Callum Sample, who has been advising the Government through the pandemic, reported the first strain of the virus found in Kent has “spontaneously” developed” the E484K strain present in the South African variant. The discovery sparked concerns the mutation could “evade” the immune system and fail to respond to vaccines currently available.
