Like the previously identified UK variant, the novel coronavirus variant is also driving a massive resurgence of the disease in South Africa, with experts warning that the country is likely facing a much larger second wave.
“Both of them [cases of the new variant] they are case contacts who have traveled from South Africa in recent weeks, “said Hancock, in a briefing from 10 Downing Street.
“This new variant is very concerning because it is even more transmissible and appears to have mutated more than the new variant that has been discovered in the UK,” he said.
The minister confirmed the immediate restrictions on travel from South Africa and the government’s urgent message is to anyone who has been to South Africa or has been in contact with someone linked to the country in the last fortnight to be immediately quarantined.
Meanwhile, scientific experts from Porton Down, the country’s specialized laboratory in south-west England, are analyzing the analysis of the new mutation and its trajectory in the United Kingdom.
As a result, even more parts of the UK will undergo the strictest level of lockdown after ministers held talks early Wednesday after the UK recorded 36,804 positive coronavirus cases, the highest daily number of infections on record at any time. during the pandemic. .
Millions more in the east and southeast of England will be placed at the highest alert level of Level 4 from December 26, celebrated as Boxing Day the day after Christmas, as the new variant of the coronavirus in the UK continues showing high transmissibility.
The minister also revealed that the Oxford University vaccine that AstraZeneca is producing has submitted its full data package for regulatory approval, including as the launch of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine continues.
“I know how difficult 2020 has been for everyone … But we must not give up now that we know we can control this virus we know we can get through this together … I know from the bottom of my heart that there are brighter skies ahead.” , said.
The report comes as the new variant identified in the UK last week, dubbed VUI-202012/01 and with much higher transmissibility, led several countries, including India, to cut transport links with the UK by a effort to try to contain its spread outside Britain. .
The backlog of trucks piled up on the UK border with France has now started to gradually clear up after a deal was reached.
France has agreed to lift its ban on arrivals to the UK on the condition that a coronavirus test is negative. However, there have been reports of skirmishes on the UK-France border, as truckers face days before the nearly 1,500 trucks can begin moving to their destinations.
During what is an annual festive and festive period in the UK with Christmas and New Years, millions in the country had their plans to meet friends and family thwarted after UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson left one ” Christmas bubble “planned for five days after scientists confirmed that the new variant of Covid-19 was spreading more rapidly.
Under the revised rules, only people living in levels one through three can socialize in a three-household bubble on December 25 for Christmas Day. Those in Level 4 areas should only celebrate Christmas with members of their own household and bubble of support. They will not be allowed to travel to other levels to see family and friends.
The Opposition Labor Party has accused Johnson of having “always been behind the COVID curve” and urged him to act quickly.
“If the scientific council has tighter restrictions, don’t sit around for weeks like you did last time, don’t hesitate, don’t delay, because that has disastrous consequences, take action now to save lives,” said Jon Ashworth , Secretary of Health in the shadow of Labor.
However, Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer wrote to Johnson to say that his party will back any move by the government to tighten restrictions if that is what the scientists recommend.
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