Covid-19 strain could lead to more deaths in 2021 than the UK suffered in 2020 unless the vaccine rollout is accelerated, experts warned.
Almost 70,000 deaths have been recorded from coronavirus this year but SAGE (Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies) advisers think that number could be exceeded thanks to the new variant that has wrecked Christmas.Experts believe the new strain, which first emerged in Kent, could be up to 70% more contagious than the original strain of the virus.There is no evidence to suggest it is more deadly than the previous versions of the virus, but more cases will likely lead to more deaths.