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Corona’s new variant “is out of control”: WHO turned it on
| Reading time: 4 minutes
The mutation is clearly more contagious
A coronavirus mutation has been discovered in the UK that is apparently much more contagious. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is changing course and tightening the measures for Christmas.
A new variant of crown could be responsible for the dramatic increase in infections in the south of England. WHO is active, says Health Secretary Matt Hancock: “We have to get them back under control.”
reThe variant of the coronavirus discovered in the United Kingdom is of great concern to the authorities. “It’s out of control and we have to get it back under control,” Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the BBC on Sunday. According to the authorities’ initial findings, the mutation is significantly more contagious than the previously known form. However, there is no evidence that the variant causes more serious disease processes or a higher mortality rate. Furthermore, authorities have so far assumed that vaccines are also effective against the mutation.
Minister Hancock said he was very concerned about the healthcare system. There are currently more than 18,000 people infected in hospitals, almost as many as at the height of the first wave of infections in the spring. “That’s another reason everyone has to abide by the new rules and take personal responsibility,” he said. Hancock told Sky News that everyone should behave as if they are infected with Corona. “That is the only way we can control the virus.”
Due to the rapid spread of the new variant of the virus, a new closure with extensive curfews in London and other areas in the south-east of England from Sunday, including for Christmas. It cannot be ruled out that the stricter measures will need to remain in effect for months before vaccination can be carried out across the board, Hancock said.
Hancock had already mentioned the new variant of the virus on Monday. UK government health official Chris Whitty said health officials identified them through genome surveillance.
It was reported to the World Health Organization (WHO). However, there is no evidence that infections are more often fatal or that the virus responds differently to vaccines or treatments, Whitty said.
WHO is in close contact with the UK due to the spread of the new variant of the coronavirus. The WHO tweeted this on Sunday night. The UK authorities would continue to share information and results of their analyzes and studies.
“We will keep member states and the public informed as soon as we learn more about the characteristics of this variant of the virus and its effects.” In the meantime, it is recommended to continue taking all protective measures to prevent the virus from spreading.
London virus warnings
Quelle: AFP / TOLGA AKMEN
The new variant of the virus is up to 70 percent more contagious than the previously known form, Prime Minister Boris Johnson told reporters in London on Saturday. But there is no evidence that vaccines against the mutation are less effective.
Stronger measures for various regions
Johnson announced stricter measures for several regions of the country on Saturday. Consequently, London and parts of south-east England will move into a category in the country’s multilevel measurement system. Relaxations that were originally planned during the Christmas period will no longer apply.
Travel to or from the region is prohibited. Johnson said: “As prime minister, it is my job to make tough decisions. … We cannot continue with Christmas as planned. “Therefore, a multi-household gathering in the new” level four “regions is not possible.
No choice. “We are sacrificing the opportunity to see our loved ones this Christmas to see them again next year,” Johnson said.
Originally, a so-called “Christmas bubble” was planned, in which up to three households should be able to meet during Christmas, that is, on the days of December 23-27. For the rest of England, this period has now been shortened to one day. “If the virus changes its method of attack, we will have to change our method of defense,” Johnson said. All non-essential businesses and other facilities such as gyms or hair salons must close.
British health authorities had recorded 28,507 new infections in the 24 hours of Friday. On Saturday, the total number of recorded infections passed the two million threshold.
Also in A new coronavirus mutation has been discovered in South Africa. The 501st V2 variant could be behind the rapid spread of the second corona wave in the country, Health Minister Zwelini Mkhize said on Friday. According to South African doctors, more young people were infected during the second wave than before. They also suffered more often from a more severe course of Covid-19 lung disease.
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