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The Guardian - UK

Science

Alex Bellos

Did you solve it? Maths of a hypothetical new Covid variant

detail of ultraestructure of deadly coronavirus particles under transmission electron microscopy (TEM) — detail of ultraestructure of deadly coronavirus particles under transmission electron microscopy (TEM)
Photograph: Edgloris Marys/Alamy

Earlier today I set you the following puzzle about a hypothetical new Covid variant.

Just in case this is the first article you have ever read on viruses: R is the reproduction number, meaning the average number of infections caused by any infected person.

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