New studies suggest SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.7 is not more deadly, just more transmissible

Study 1: Changes in symptomatology, reinfection, and transmissibility associated with the SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.7: an ecological study – The Lancet Public Health

Study 2: Genomic characteristics and clinical effect of the emergent SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 lineage in London, UK: a whole-genome sequencing and hospital-based cohort study – The Lancet Infectious Diseases

Commentaries: Expert reaction to two papers looking at the transmissibility and severity of the B.1.1.7 variant – Science Media Centre AND UK coronavirus variant not more deadly, just spreads more easily, studies find – LiveScience