Madrid:
Four cases of a coronavirus variant believed to be particularly infectious that recently emerged in Britain have been confirmed in Madrid, the regional government said on Saturday, the first cases detected in Spain.
All four cases involved people who recently arrived from the United Kingdom, the deputy director of health for the Madrid regional government, Antonio Zapatero, told a press conference.
“The patients are not seriously ill, we know that this strain is more transmissible, but it does not cause more serious diseases,” he said.
“There is no need to be alarmed,” added Zapatero.
There are three other suspected cases of the coronavirus variant, but the test results will only be available on Tuesday or Wednesday, Zapatero said.
The new strain of the virus, which experts fear is more contagious, has prompted more than 50 countries, including Spain, to impose travel restrictions on the UK.
Since Tuesday, Madrid has banned all UK entries, except for Spanish nationals and residents.
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