UK's Covid-19 variant spreads three times faster

Buzz

Ngày cập nhật gần nhất: 15/4/2026

A recent study conducted by the Royal College of London (UK) reveals that the R0 of the new variant of Covid-19 currently ranges from 1.1 to 1.3, an increase of 0.4 to 0.7 compared to before. This leads to its infection rate being three times higher. An article earlier this year by mod P.W explained R0 as a measure describing the 'basic reproduction number.' Simply put, the R0 describes how many healthy individuals an average infected person can transmit the disease to.

If the R0 is less than 1, it means that one infected person will likely transmit the disease to fewer than 1 healthy person, essentially leading to the gradual disappearance of the epidemic as it cannot spread to the entire population. If the R0 is greater than 1, it means that one infected person will transmit the disease to more than 1 healthy person, thus spreading widely until all people in a city, a country are infected if no preventive measures are taken.

Scientists have been intrigued by the new variant since December, as it has been increasingly appearing in samples collected from patients in southern England. Its origin seems to have started from a patient infected in early September this year. Up to this point, there is still no evidence to suggest that the new variant will cause more severe illness. Its increased transmissibility compared to the common strain from the beginning of the pandemic has been implicitly confirmed, but this is the first study to demonstrate that.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the R0 value indicate about the new variant of Covid-19?

The R0 value indicates how many healthy individuals an average infected person can infect. The new variant's R0 ranges from 1.1 to 1.3, meaning it's more transmissible than previous strains.

How does the R0 value affect the spread of the Covid-19 virus?

If the R0 is greater than 1, the virus spreads widely, potentially infecting the entire population. The new variant's higher R0 suggests an increased risk of widespread transmission.

What are the implications of an R0 greater than 1 for public health?

An R0 greater than 1 implies the need for urgent public health measures to prevent widespread infection. Without intervention, the new variant could significantly impact community health.

Mytour's content is for customer care and travel encouragement only, and we are not responsible.

For errors or inappropriate content, please contact us at: [email protected]