The UK Covid variant could stay in the body longer - and self-isolation times may need to increase as a result

By Sarah Wilson
Published 18th Feb 2021, 13:06 BST
Updated 18th Feb 2021, 13:07 BST
If further data confirms the findings, the 10 day self-isolation period may have to be extended (Photo: Shutterstock)If further data confirms the findings, the 10 day self-isolation period may have to be extended (Photo: Shutterstock)
If further data confirms the findings, the 10 day self-isolation period may have to be extended (Photo: Shutterstock)

A small study has suggested that the so-called 'UK variant' of coronavirus may take longer for the immune system to clear.

Scientists from several US universities - including Harvard and Yale - conducted the research on 65 people who were infected with coronavirus, finding that the immune system took almost 30 per cent longer to clear infection in cases of the Covid variant, first detected in Kent and now the dominant strain of infections in the UK.

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