An even more contagious second mutation of COVID-19 has been discovered in the UK – what is known – World

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Britain was cut off from the world by a dangerous mutation of the coronavirus. Now a new, even more contagious strain of the virus has been found there in two people who have had contact with returnees from South Africa. What is known so far, says “Deutsche Welle”.

British Health Minister Matt Hancock has announced that scientists have identified another mutation in the coronavirus. It was found in two people who had contact with recent returnees from South Africa. “This new strain is very alarming because it spreads even faster,” Hancock explained.

A more mutated and more contagious strain

The information available so far indicates that this is the next mutation of the virus after the one that recently caused several countries to restrict movement to and from the UK. Everyone who has visited South Africa in the past two weeks, as well as their loved ones, will be immediately quarantined, Hancock said. Britain is also introducing new travel restrictions between the island and the African country. Already last week, the South African Minister of Health, Tsveli Mhize, spoke about a new mutation circulating in the country.

The infection is growing

The number of new coronavirus infections in the UK continues to rise. Hancock announced that stricter new measures will be introduced from Saturday to limit the spread of the infection in more areas of southern England. They are classified with the two highest risk levels: 3 and 4. This means that there will be new severe restrictions on traffic and travel, similar to those in the capital, London. Roughly 19,000 COVID-19 patients are currently being treated in hospitals in the UK, double the number during the previous peak in the spring.

A few days ago, another mutation was identified in the coronavirus in the UK, which was confirmed to spread faster and more easily. In response to the news, several countries have restricted their citizens’ travel to the UK. However, experts insist that the vaccines so far licensed will be able to provide protection against new strains of the infection.