Super-infectious coronavirus variant may have been circulating in the US since October and could already be widespread as researchers warn slow vaccination could lead to even bigger surge in cases

 

B117 variant of coronavirus may have begun to circulate in US in October

 

Researchers examined 2 million positive cases from US in recent months

They found more instances of virus that was missing signal from genetic code

The 'S gene dropout' is similar to the mutation found in B117 variant from the UK 

New strain of virus was first announced by UK officials in mid-December 

Research shows that the mutation had been circulating in UK since September 

New variant is thought to be much more contagious, according to experts 

Experts warn it could fuel case surge in US unless more people are vaccinated 

Read more here at daily mail