Covid Wales B117

About Covid Wales B117

The Alpha variant B 1 1 7 was first identified in the United Kingdom in September 2020 and designated a Variant of Concern in December 2020. Alpha was approximately 50 percent more transmissible than the original strain. The variant drove a devastating winter wave in the UK. Alpha had 23 mutations including the N501Y mutation in the spike protein that increases binding to the ACE2 receptor. The UK government imposed Tier 4 restrictions in London and southeast England. Alpha spread to well over 100 countries. Several studies later suggested Alpha was associated with a higher risk of death than previous strains. The discovery of Alpha prompted enhanced genomic surveillance globally. The UK had the most extensive SARS CoV 2 sequencing program, detecting the variant early. The COG UK consortium sequenced over 2 million genomes. Alpha was eventually displaced by the more transmissible Delta variant by mid 2021. The Alpha experience demonstrated the value of genomic surveillance for pandemic response.