Britain alarmed by new COVID-19 variant spreading in South Africa

A social distancing sign is seen amid the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Leicester, Britain. [Reuters]

Britain on Thursday said it was concerned by a newly identified coronavirus variant spreading in South Africa that might make vaccines less effective and imperil efforts to fight the pandemic.

The UK Health Security Agency said the variant, which is called B.1.1.529, has a spike protein that was dramatically different to the one in the original coronavirus that COVID-19 vaccines are based on.