Covid-19: New UK variant of concern B.1.1.7 may be linked to increased severity of disease, early data indicate

This briefing paper discusses several preliminary analyses showing possible increase in severity of disease from this variant which first emerged in Kent, in September. However, the paper also highlights some important limitations to the data on which these analyses are based.

SPS commentary:

Limitations include a relatively small number of people included in the analyses and from a small number of settings. Therefore, more data is being collected and the position will become clearer over the coming weeks.

Department of Health and Social Care