
Covid Brazil variant ‘may spread more easily’
Getty ImagesThe Brazil coronavirus variant now found in the UK appears more contagious and may evade immunity provided by past infection, scientists say.Experiences from Manaus - the Amazonian city hit hard by the P.1 variant - suggest it could be up to twice as transmissible as earlier Covid there, the first detailed study suggests.The preliminary work puts the chance of reinfection at between 25% and 60%.But experts say this should not be used to predict what may happen in the UK. Brazil 'variant of concern' found in UKHow worrying is the Brazil variant?Indeed, one of the lead researchers said it was unlikely P.1 would quickly take off in Britain when only six cases had been identified and these were being closely monitored. Infectious diseases expert Prof Ester Sabino, from the Univers...