The New Covid Mutation Is ‘Significantly More Transmissible,’ Public Health Experts Warn
The U.S. was notably missing from a growing list of countries suspending travel to and from the U.K., the apparent epicenter.

Source: Stefan Rousseau – PA Images / Getty
2020 is still very much upon us.
Parts of Europe were in full panic mode Monday morning as public health officials there reported what seemed to be the outbreak of a new mutant strain of Covid-19 that is described as being exponentially more contagious than the one that’s already caused a global pandemic.
The new strain’s apparent epicenter is in the United Kingdom, from where Britons were scrambling to leave major cities like London in an effort to escape looming lockdowns. But the mutation of the coronavirus has already been reported well outside of London, including in the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, Iceland and even Australia.
Public health experts have traced those cases back to the U.K., where Covid cases have been surging in recent weeks. They said it’s not out of the ordinary for a virus to mutate. However, this particular version of Covid is extraordinary because of its higher levels of contagion.

Source: Steve Parsons – PA Images / Getty
“While it is known and expected that viruses constantly change through mutation leading to the emergence of new variants, preliminary analysis in the UK suggests that this variant is significantly more transmissible than previously circulating variants, with an estimated potential to increase the reproductive number (R) by 0.4 or greater with an estimated increased transmissibility of up to 70%,” the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said in a news update Sunday. They referred to the Covid mutation as “a SARS-CoV-2 variant.”
A growing number of countries have suspended flights to and from the U.K. They include Canada, France, Germany, Israel, Iran, Colombia and Morocco. Saudi Arabia closed its borders and suspended all flights to and from everywhere.
Notably missing from that list of nations is the United States.
“Today that variant is getting on a plane and landing at JFK,” New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Sunday in reference to New York City’s biggest airport during a press briefing. “How many times in life do you have to make the same mistake before you learn?”
Cuomo said Monday he believes “it’s already” in the U.S.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-NY) on new COVID variant found in the UK: “I believe, intuitively, it’s already here.” pic.twitter.com/UIMHlnr6fo
— The Recount (@therecount) December 21, 2020
There was no immediate announcement from the U.S. Department of State aside from a standing and general Covid-19 travel advisory against international travel.
The Covid mutation comes just days after coronavirus vaccines started being administered across the world.
As a result, the stock market plunged.
President-elect Joe Biden was scheduled to be given the Covid vaccine live on TV as health workers and national leaders alike attempt to show unity in an effort to compel Americans to also get vaccinated.
While polling shows that more Black people are willing to be vaccinated, there is still a disproportionate number who are not. Black people remain the worst hit by the pandemic; not just health-wise but also economically and socially.
SEE ALSO:
Black ICU Nurse Sandra Lindsay Among First Of COVID-19 Vaccine Recipients
Hardly Any Black People Trust The Covid Vaccines, New Survey Confirms

Notable Black Folks Who Have Contracted The Coronavirus
Notable Black Folks Who Have Contracted The Coronavirus
1. Usain Bolt, Olympic gold medalist
1 of 52
2. Gil Bailey, radio pioneer
2 of 52Rest In Peace Gil Bailey #covid19 has taken another giant. Gil Bailey Radio. pic.twitter.com/tzrOUnAGD9
— Clark Pena (@ClarkPenaEH) April 14, 2020
3. Keisha Lance Bottoms, Atlanta mayor

4. Herman Cain, former presidential candidate

5. Ben Carson

6. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman

7. Manu Dibango

8. Dennis Dickson
8 of 52#COVID19 #covidheroes #NYPD announces first employee death due to coronavirus
— Sabrina McDaniel (@Sabrina_McDa) March 27, 2020
RIP, Dennis Dickson pic.twitter.com/D10Do2p7oJ
9. Kevin Durant

10. Larry Edgeworth
10 of 52Prayers to the family of NBC’s Larry Edgeworth 💔🙏🏽 and my former colleagues at 30 Rock. He died after testing positive for #coronavirus. Larry would always offer to help me ...even after I moved to CBS. He just wanted to see another brother win. #IAmMyBrothersKeeper Rest 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/TyXbiHs30d
— DeMarco Morgan (@DeMarcoReports) March 20, 2020
11. Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds

12. Idris and Sabrina Dhowre Elba
12 of 52This morning I tested positive for Covid 19. I feel ok, I have no symptoms so far but have been isolated since I found out about my possible exposure to the virus. Stay home people and be pragmatic. I will keep you updated on how I’m doing 👊🏾👊🏾 No panic. pic.twitter.com/Lg7HVMZglZ
— Idris Elba (@idriselba) March 16, 2020
13. Patrick Ewing, basketball legend

14. Ronald Fenty, Rihanna's dad

15. Vivica A. Fox, actress

16. Jimmy Glenn, legendary boxing trainer

18. Louis Gossett Jr., actor, philanthropist

19. Lee Green
19 of 52It is with much sadness to inform all in my SJU family that we lost Lee Green to Covid-19 today. A Parade All-American who played 3 years at #SJUBB Lee was our warrior on those teams. A true lock em up defender that relished shutting down the best opponents. RIP Lee🙏🏻 #gone2soon pic.twitter.com/X4TIPbVvoU
— Ron Linfonte (@SJU5) March 24, 2020
20. Charles Gregory, Tyler Perry's makeup artrist
20 of 52
21. Lewis Hamilton, Formula One driver

22. Samuel Hargress Jr., owner of legendary Harlem nightclub
22 of 52Thank You for your friendship Sam! 💔#RIP💔 Harlem's Paris Blues Jazz Club has been a celebrated local music joint since 1969, playing live jazz and blues nightly. It's owner and manager, Mr. Samuel Hargress Jr., has been in the club nearly every day for the past 51 years. 💫🔥💫 pic.twitter.com/oSM9Cbzzdb
— B Michael (@bmichaelAmerica) April 15, 2020
23. Conan Harris, Rep. Ayanna Pressley's husband

24. Mike Huckaby, techno music pioneer and DJ
24 of 52R.I.P Mike Huckaby. You will forever continue to change so many peoples lives with your music, technique and mentoring. These clips of Huck are from ‘Detroit The Blueprint Of Techno’ 💔 pic.twitter.com/8t8c83Uy2K
— Dark Entries Records (@darkentriesrecs) April 25, 2020
25. Callum Hudson-Odoi

26. DL Hughley, comedian
26 of 52#ThankYouForYourPrayers #TeamDL pic.twitter.com/dSQiNtsgMr
— DL Hughley (@RealDLHughley) June 21, 2020
27. Ahmed Ismail Hussein, Somali singer, 92
27 of 52BREAKING: One of Somalia’s greatest artists has died in London after contracting Corona Virus. Ahmed Ismail Hussein “Hudeydi” known as the “King of Oud” has been in hospital for four days. He was 92. pic.twitter.com/iCii8vYVVv
— Harun Maruf (@HarunMaruf) April 8, 2020
28. Wilson Roosevelt Jerman, former White House butler
28 of 52Tonight on @fox5dc at 10p -
— 𝙎𝙝𝙖𝙬𝙣 𝙔𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙮 (@ShawnYancyTV) May 20, 2020
He served at the pleasure of 11 U.S. Presidents... during his 55 years at the White House.
Last weekend, he passed from COVID-19.
My exclusive interview with the granddaughter of White House butler, Wilson Jerman is next! pic.twitter.com/SBiXbQLiud
29. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson
29 of 52
30. Brad "Scarface" Jordan

31. DeAndre Jordan, NBA star

32. Tim Lester, NFL star

33. James Mahoney, pulmonologist
33 of 52Dr. James Mahoney at University Hospital of Brooklyn pic.twitter.com/SXBxNlzApr
— Lieutenant Kijé (@BrianLemaire2) May 19, 2020
34. Ellis Marsalis Jr.

35. DeRay McKesson

36. Von Miller

37. Donovan Mitchell
37 of 52
38. Wisconsin Rep. Rep. Gwen Moore

39. Lloyd Porter, small business owner in Brooklyn
39 of 52Devastated to hear Lloyd Porter has pass away from covid19. Lloyd was a pillar in Brooklyn. His coffee shop Breadstuy is where I met some of my closest friends. He sometimes hired people with records that couldn't easily find work. He believed in community. Rest well Brother
— Blitz Bazawule (@BlitzAmbassador) May 7, 2020
🙏🏿🙏🏿 pic.twitter.com/t5Ai3iASt8
40. Charley Pride, country music legend

41. Biden Adviser, Rep. Cedric Richmond

42. Arnie Robinson Jr., Olympian
42 of 52Arnie Robinson Jr., who won the gold medal in the long jump at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, died on Dec. 2 at his home in San Diego. He was 72. https://t.co/lYnpSbWkzO
— NYT Sports (@NYTSports) December 16, 2020
43. Wallace Roney

44. Marcus Smart
44 of 5245. Troy Sneed, gospel singer

46. Oliver "DJ Black N Mild" Stokes Jr.
46 of 52New Orleans bounce DJ and radio personality Black N Mild has died after testing positive for coronavirus. For the past 25 years, he also deejayed at countless clubs, parties and other private events across the southeast. pic.twitter.com/2e6mnKhiXQ
— Eric Alper 🎧 (@ThatEricAlper) March 21, 2020
47. Carole Sutton, actress

48. Jeffrey "DJ Jazzy Jeff" Townes
48 of 5249. Karl-Anthony Towns, NBA star

50. Karl-Anthony Towns' parents, Jacqueline Cruz and Karl-Anthony Towns Sr.
50 of 52Enjoyed chatting with the proud parents of @KarlTowns down here in Florida. Awesome people. pic.twitter.com/xg9v2Hpazz
— Drew Franklin (@DrewFranklinKSR) February 5, 2017
51. Juan Williams, Fox News Host

52. Randall Woodfin, Mayor of Birmingham, Alabama

Notable Black Folks Who Have Contracted The Coronavirus
[caption id="attachment_3922658" align="alignnone" width="728"] Source: askmenow / Getty[/caption] UPDATED: 6:53 p.m. ET, Jan. 15, 2021 -- After months of seeing the coronavirus ravage other parts of the world, COVID-19's widespread effect on the U.S. has increasingly hit home for many Americans as states see as a continuous stream of people become diagnosed with the respiratory illness that turned into a global pandemic. And after a brief spate of the fake news that Black people were somehow immune to contracting the coronavirus, a steady and troubling number of Black folks -- including those who are notable and famous -- have not only since been diagnosed but many have also died of complications from it. After suffering the devastating loss of his mother from COVID-19 in 2020, NBA star Karl-Anthony Towns announced he tested positive on Friday. "Prior to tonight's game, I received yet another awful call that I tested positive for COVID. I will immediately isolate and follow every protocol," the 25-year-old Minnesota Timberwolves center shared on Twitter. https://twitter.com/KarlTowns/status/1350223070376595460?s=20 "I pray every day that this nightmare of a virus will subside and I beg everyone to continue to take it seriously by taking all of the necessary precautions. We cannot stop the spread of this virus alone, it must be a group effort by all of us," he continued. Massachusetts Rep. Ayanna Pressley's husband Conan Harris tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday days after he was placed in lockdown with his wife during the mob attack on Capitol Hill last week, CBS Boston reports. Pressley has tested negative. Harris was in the nation's capitol accompanying Pressley for her swearing-in ceremony after she won her re-election in November. On Wednesday Pressley thanked her supporters for well wishes on Twitter. "Thank you for your notes of care and concern. I'm deeply frustrated my husband & staff were put in this position. We're thinking of all the families across the nation impacted by COVID & the Jan. 6 attack. We wont' stop fighting for accountability & relief," she tweeted. https://twitter.com/AyannaPressley/status/1349476568016547840?s=20 Tim Lester, a former NFL star who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Rams, and Dallas Cowboys, died on Jan. 12 from COVID-19 complications. He was 52. https://twitter.com/SteeIerNation/status/1349102284974780417?s=20 New Jersey congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman announced she was diagnosed with the coronavirus on Monday. Watson Coleman, a cancer survivor, shared she believes she was exposed to COVID-19 last Wednesday during the U.S. Capitol attack, as several of her colleagues refused to wear a mask. Later on Monday she updated her followers letting them know that she was on her way to the hospital to seek an antibody treatment. https://twitter.com/RepBonnie/status/1348744425862799362?s=20 Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, has been hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia, the Alabama city announced. The 39-year-old had been experiencing mild symptoms and was self-quarantined until his hospitalization, AL.com reported. Scroll down to read more about Woodfin's condition. https://twitter.com/cityofbhamal/status/1346307569854328833?s=20 Legendary actor Louis Gossett Jr., was diagnosed with the coronavirus but left his local hospital this week out of fear, where he saw a series of COVID-related deaths during his stay according to TMZ. The Oscar winner checked out on Tuesday after staff reportedly begged him to stay out concern for his health. Gossett is 84-years-old and a cancer survivor. He is currently at home isolating under the care of his son. His supporters are asking people to share encouraging messages on social media using the hashtag, #LoveLetterToLou. [caption id="attachment_4070862" align="alignnone" width="708"] Source: Bob Riha Jr / Getty[/caption] Wisconsin Rep. Gwen Moore announced Monday that she tested positive for the coronavirus. The Democratic Congresswoman said that while she was "feeling well," she cautioned people to take the proper precautions. https://twitter.com/RepGwenMoore/status/1343675101972226049?s=20 Previously, Joe Biden adviser Rep. Cedric Richmond tested positive for the coronavirus. He later tested positive for a second time and planned to isolate for 14 days to recover. Richardson travelled to Georgia as well as the president-elect, but was not in close contact. Biden ultimately tested negative. https://twitter.com/scottwongDC/status/1339707399809216522?s=20 Olympic gold medalist Arnie Robinson Jr. died on Dec. 2 from complications relating to COVID-19 at age 72. Robinson was known as one of the greatest long jumpers in history. https://twitter.com/nytsports/status/1339195601670590464?s=12 Country music legend Charley Pride and actress Carole Sutton died after contracting the coronavirus. Scroll down to read more about them. https://twitter.com/ava/status/1337562418319265792?s=20 https://twitter.com/violadavis/status/1338143169595236354?s=20 Formula One superstar Lewis Hamilton tested positive for the coronavirus, according to CBS News. Hamilton will have to sit out the Sakhir Grand Prix in Bahrain. He was tested three times last week which all resulted negative, with the last test taking place on Sunday. "But he up woke Monday morning with mild symptoms and was informed at the same time that a contact prior to arrival in Bahrain had subsequently tested positive," the Mercedes team said in a released statement. "Lewis, therefore, took a further test and returned a positive result. This has since been confirmed by a retest." [caption id="attachment_4057716" align="alignnone" width="738"] Source: Mario Renzi - Formula 1 / Getty[/caption] It was in that context that it was announced Nov. 9 that Ben Carson, the world-renowned health physician who is also the Housing and Urban Development secretary, has tested positive for the coronavirus. Word spread quickly on social media about Carson's diagnosis. The health disclosure came just days after Donald Trump's election loss was made official on Saturday, a truth that also affects Carson's role in the presidential administration that's being brought to a close by Joe Biden's successful candidacy. https://twitter.com/jemelehill/status/1325838108349222912?s=20 Carson is the latest Trump insider to test positive for the coronavirus. Scroll down here to read more about Carson contracting the Covid-19. Prior to that, Vivica A. Fox announced the 56-year-old actress made the announcement ahead of her hosting duties for the E! network's live coverage of the red-carpet pre-Emmy Awards show in September. “I am terribly sorry I cannot be with my E! family tonight!” Fox said in a statement. “Unfortunately, I have tested positive for coronavirus. So, in an abundance of caution, I am isolating myself at home.” https://twitter.com/KolaBoof3/status/1307830756484345857?s=20 It was immediately unclear how Fox contracted the coronavirus. Luckily, that wasn't the case for Hollywood superstar Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, who announced that he, his wife and their two young daughters had all tested positive for the coronavirus. While he said they had all recovered, he also admitted on an Instagram video that he and his wife "had a rough go" with COVID-19 and encouraged people to wear masks so they don't meet the same fate that he and his family did. His daughters are 2- and 4-years-old. [caption id="attachment_4007483" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Source: NBC / Getty[/caption] Other notable Black folks who contracted the coronavirus include former Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain, who died from it in July; Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms; comedian D.L. Hughley; and even basketball legend Patrick Ewing came down with it. The diagnoses have effectively shattered misconceptions about who can contract the coronavirus. Previously, it was believed that the elderly with underlying health conditions were most at risk. And while that remains true, there has seemingly been a surge of cases involving younger age groups and people who had no pre-existing health conditions before their COVID-19 diagnoses. The cases don't account for the reports of a growing number of Black people who have been diagnosed with or died of complications from the coronavirus that have seeming flooded this writer's social media timelines as friends and others grieve their loved ones across the country. One of the clearest indications that Black people could indeed contract the coronavirus came when it began to affect players in the NBA, a professional sports league that is made up of more than 74 percent of players who are Black. After that came announcements from celebrities who offered cautionary tales to the public about how they may have contracted the illness and ways to prevent others from repeating their errors. There was also an alarming report out of Milwaukee at the start of the pandemic showing middle-aged Black men have made up the majority of coronavirus cases in the Wisconsin city. The nation's system of prisons and jails has also been affected, leaving the disproportionate number of Black inmates increasingly susceptible to the coronavirus. That was especially true in New York, including at the infamous Rikers Island complex where CBS News reported that the coronavirus infection rate is "more than seven times higher than the rate citywide and 87 times higher than the country at large." https://twitter.com/MollyGriffard/status/1242521472083640322?s=20 In addition, the nation's police departments were at risk for the same reasons as the jails and prisons. Most recently, Donafay Collins, a commander with the Wayne County Sheriff's Office in Michigan, died following complications from the coronavirus. He was 63 years old. https://twitter.com/VickiethomasWWJ/status/1242974843072655360?s=20 More than a dozen other Wayne County Sheriff's Office employees have also been diagnosed following a pattern seen at other police departments, including the NYPD, where the New York Post reported that more than 300 cops have tested positive. Scroll down to see a list of notable Black folks who have contracted the coronavirus as the world tries to flatten the global curve of cases to restore some semblance of societal normalcy. They follow in alphabetical order.
The New Covid Mutation Is ‘Significantly More Transmissible,’ Public Health Experts Warn was originally published on newsone.com