Enhanced fitness of SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern B.1.1.7, but not B.1.351, in animal models
L. Ulrich, N. J. Halwe, A. Taddeo, N. Ebert, J. Schön, C. Devisme, B. S. Trüeb, B. Hoffmann, M. Wider, M. Bekliz, M. Essaidi-Laziosi, M. L. Schmidt, D. Niemeyer, V. M. Corman, A. Kraft, , C. Benarafa
The paper compares the fitness of SARS-CoV-2 variants B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 in animal models, finding B.1.1.7 has a fitness advantage in ferrets and mice but not in hamsters.
bioRxiv · Jun 28, 2021Microbiology