New Strain Of The Coronavirus Found In The U.K.

A new strain of COVID-19 is spreading in the UK, prompting countries like Canada, France, and Germany to impose travel restrictions. While the new strain is more transmissible, there is no evidence it is more deadly or that vaccines are ineffective against it. The UK government, led by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, has responded by canceling holiday shopping and gatherings in southern England.

What characteristics of the new strain have been noted in terms of transmissibility?

What is the current understanding of the effectiveness of vaccines against the new strain?