Scientists at the CDC are speaking with UK health officials to learn more about British data that suggests a new coronavirus variant could be more deadly. "The CDC has reached out to UK officials and is reviewing their new mortality data associated with variant B.1.1.7," a CDC official told CNN Saturday, using the scientific name for the variant first spotted in the UK in November. A UK report released Friday states there is "a realistic possibility" that the new variant has a higher death rate than other variants.