Coronavirus latest - The new variant of coronavirus has more than 50 mutations overall.

Some 32 of those are on the spike protein - that's the key the virus uses to unlock the doorway into our body's cells, and the target of most vaccines.

Which could weaken vaccine protection by 40 per cent, could potentially already be in the UK.

UK health chiefs say the new strain, centred in South African countries, is the "most worrying and complex" seen yet.

It is the most evolved so far with 32 mutations and could be worse than Delta, experts have warned.

The variant has only been found in three countries so far - but its power has sparked a sudden ban on flights from six nations to the UK.

The variant, scientifically called B.1.1.529, has not yet been confirmed in the UK as of yet.

But Dr Susan Hopkins, chief medical adviser at the UK Health Security Agency, said it was "always possible".

With up to 700 people flying in from South Africa per day, it cannot be ruled out.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today Programme, Dr Hopkins said: "The first look at it shows it has a variety of different mutations, it's got 30 different mutations that seem relevant, that's double what we had in Delta.

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