UK: New COVID-19 variant could be more deadly

By Karim El-Bar

LONDON (AA) - Britain's prime minister warned on Friday that the COVID-19 variant found in the UK could be more deadly than the original virus.

"There is some evidence that the new variant may be associated with a higher degree of mortality," Boris Johnson said at a press conference.

Health officials have already said the new virus is over 70% more transmissible.

The UK has suffered record deaths and cases from COVID-19 in recent weeks.