Under the title "Warning About a Coronavirus Variant That Kills a Third of Those Infected", Sky News published a report highlighting that with growing concerns regarding mutations of the coronavirus, a UK government advisory body has warned that the next variant could lead to the death of a third of those infected.
Documents published by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) and circulated by British newspapers stated that "the future strain could be as deadly as the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), which has a 35% case fatality rate." According to the body composed of leading scientists in the UK, the emergence of a new variant of the coronavirus is "a realistic possibility on the way."
The committee of experts based their predictions on the notion that the likelihood of the virus mutating is higher when it is more widespread, as is currently the case in Britain. Scientists indicated that any future strain could be more resistant to vaccines. Nonetheless, they recommended providing the population with additional doses of coronavirus vaccines during the upcoming winter, imposing restrictions on foreign visitors, and considering culling animals that can harbor the virus, such as minks, cats, and dogs, to prevent the development of a mutated strain.
The report has raised concerns among both experts and politicians in the UK, following criticism directed at the government regarding the easing of pandemic-related restrictions. Public health expert at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Professor Martin McKee, stated, "These shocking words from the government's own advisors confirm what many of us have warned about. There are still obstacles to overcome." He continued, "The government cannot be complacent. It must continue to support the development of the next generation of vaccines and prioritize reducing infections here to minimize the possibility of another local variant emerging."
In the same context, Philippa Whitford, Vice-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Coronavirus, noted, "This report, which should have sent shockwaves through the government, quietly passed among a number of reports during the parliamentary recess." She added, "Without stricter measures to monitor borders, we risk importing vaccine-resistant variants, while unchecked spread here could lead to another variant in the UK." Philippa concluded, "The government must not bury its head in the sand; otherwise, it will lose the progress we have made over the past 18 months."
