Hyderabad, Dec. 22 -- Rising a serious alarm, a new and highly contagious variant of SARS-CoV2-the virus which causes COVID-19, has been identified as the cause of the increased transmission of the disease across the United Kingdom (UK). Citing the rapid spread of the virus through London and surrounding areas, Prime Minister Boris Johnson imposed the country's most stringent lockdown since March, with several countries, including India, closing borders

"When the virus changes its method of the attack, we must change our method of defense," Johnson said.

The new UK variant, known as VUI-202012/01 (the first Variant Under Investigation in December 2020)or lineage B.1.1.7, was first identified in the county of Kent on September 20. Matt H...