Could a new coronavirus variant make the U.S. pandemic worse this spring?

As the U.S. continues its fight against COVID-19, a new concern is emerging. A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says the B.1.1.7 variant—a more contagious form of the virus first identified in the UK—has the potential to increase the U.S. pandemic trajectory in the coming months. This isn't a prediction of what will definitely happen, but a warning based on modeling data. The report looks at how the variant is spreading and projects what could happen if it becomes more common. The CDC is sharing this information to help state and local leaders prepare. The key message is that this variant could make things harder, which underscores why continuing precautions like masks and distancing remains critical while vaccination efforts ramp up.