Scientists call for clarity on claim new Covid-19 variant strain

'Show us the evidence': Scientists call for clarity on claim that new Covid-19 variant strain is 70% more contagious

• Boris Johnson was urged to publish clear evidence of coronavirus data last night
• Said new variant may be up to 70 per cent more transmissible than other strains
• Professor Carl Heneghan expressed his scepticism over the 70 per cent figure

The Prime Minister has warned the new variant of coronavirus may be up to 70 per cent more transmissible than previous strains and could overwhelm the NHS.

But last night one scientist demanded greater transparency over the number that shut down swathes of the UK.

Carl Heneghan, Professor of Evidence Based Medicine at Oxford University's Nuffield Department of Primary Care, expressed scepticism over the 70 per cent figure.


He said: 'I've been doing this job for 25 years and I can tell you can't establish a quantifiable number in such a short time frame.'

He added 'every expert is saying it's too early to draw such an inference'.

Professor Heneghan said there was no doubt this time of the year, the 'height of the viral season', was a difficult time for the NHS. But he said failure to put out the basis of the figures was undermining public trust.

He added: 'I would want to have very clear evidence rather than 'we think it's more transmissible' so we can see if it is or not.

'It has massive implications, it's causing fear and panic, but we should not be in this situation when the Government is putting out data that is unquantifiable.'

He added: 'They are fitting the data to the evidence. They see cases rising and they are looking for evidence to explain it.'

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Scientists call for clarity on claim new Covid-19 variant strain