Passengers walk towards the exit at Terminal 5 of London Heathrow Airport in west London. (Photo: AFP)

London, February 10 (RHC)-- A coronavirus variant from the United Kingdom is now spreading "rapidly" through the United States, according to a new study.  The study showed that the more contagious strain from the UK is nearly doubling in the US every nine days.

The UK strain of the coronavirus is 35-45% more transmissible than other strains of the virus currently in the United States, the report found.  Some studies suggest that UK coronavirus strain is not only more transmissible, but also more deadly compared to other variants from Brazil, South Africa and Denmark causing the COVID-19 disease. 

There has been uncertain data suggesting that the UK strain may be associated with a 30% higher risk of mortality.  The study called for "immediate and decisive action to minimize COVID-19 morbidity and mortality." 

In related news, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has predicted UK variant could be the predominant strain in the country by March.  Current vaccines being used in the US, which were made from earlier variants of the coronavirus, are expected to protect those who are vaccinated against the various strains of the virus.