News British officials say COVID-19 variant discovered in UK may be 30% more lethal January 22, 2021Kim Hjelmgaard and Karen Weintraub, USA TODAYComments Off on British officials say COVID-19 variant discovered in UK may be 30% more lethal British scientists says there is a 'realistic possibility' the fast-spreading B117 variant is more deadly. Some, however, say it's too early to tell.