Sixteen cases of a new variant of the CCP virus have been identified in the UK, Public Health England (PHE) revealed on Thursday. The new variant, VUI-202102/04 (lineage B.1.1.318), has been designated by PHE as a “variant under investigation”. This variant, understood to have originated in the UK, was first identified on Feb. 15 through genomic horizon scanning. All individuals who tested positive and their contacts have been traced and advised to isolate, PHE said. The variant contains the E484K mutation, which is also found in the South African and Brazilian P.1 variants and is expected to make existing antibodies less effective. But it does not feature the N501Y mutation, which is potentially linked to increased transmissibility. A “variant under investigation” can be designated a “variant of concern” after a risk assessment with the relevant expert committee. PHE also said that, as of March 3, a total of 59 cases of …