British variant crown infection is 70% stronger … London Blockade Step 4

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. [로이터=연합뉴스]

The UK decided to initiate a four-step lockdown in the area as the new coronavirus infection (Corona 19) spread rapidly over the past two weeks in London and south-east England, before Christmas. Less than a week has passed since the third containment phase began.

On the 19th (local time), according to CNN and the BBC, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson held a video conference with ministers that day and held a press conference, saying: “We will improve the response to Corona 19 in the southeast and east. from England, including London, to four stages. “He said.

Prime Minister Johnson also decided to reduce the time limit for the Christmas season in England from five days to one Christmas Day. On days when restrictions are allowed, up to three households can meet in England.

Upon entering the fourth stage, all non-essential shops like gyms and beauty salons must be closed, and exits are also restricted. You must stay home unless you cannot work from home and for reasons such as school, babysitting, or sports. In public outdoor places, you can only meet one person at a time. The UK government first applies these measures for two weeks and then decides whether to extend them again on the 30th.

This is because the infectivity of the variant corona 19 virus announced by the British government last week was stronger than expected when it entered the third stage of action. Recently, it was discovered that 60% of new cases in London had been infected with a variant of the virus.

The Corona 19 strain virus, known as ‘VUI-202012/01’, has 70% more infectivity compared to the existing virus and can increase the reproduction rate of the infection by up to 0.4.

On the 19th (local time), a citizen walks with a mask on the streets of London, England, where a three-phase blockade is in effect. [AFP=연합뉴스]

However, there is no evidence that it causes more serious illness. “The advisory group has looked at the strain for the past few days and has shown that the strain spreads much faster, but there is no evidence that it causes more serious disease or a higher mortality rate,” Johnson said.

“We cannot spend Christmas as we planned,” Prime Minister Johnson said.

Professor Chris Whitty, UK Medical Director, said: “The variant first appeared in London and Kent in mid-September. By mid-November, around 28% of confirmed cases in London and the south-east of England were infected with the virus strain. It went up to 60%. ” “There is currently no evidence that this strain affects vaccines or treatments,” he added.

Dr. Whity added that after identifying the virus variant, he reported it to the World Health Organization (WHO).

According to the international statistics site World Omometer, 2,2,219 people have so far been infected with Corona 19 in the UK, of whom 67,075 have died.

Meanwhile, after the UK, Switzerland also approved the use of the COVID-19 vaccine by Pfizer-Bioentech. Swiss Medic regulatory authorities said in a statement that day, “We have concluded that the Pfizer-Bioentech Corona 19 vaccine is safe and the benefits outweigh the risks.”

Switzerland is not affiliated with the European Union (EU) like Great Britain. France, Germany and Italy, which have joined the EU, are now awaiting this procedure as they can start vaccination only after approval for use by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), a regulatory authority for the European Union.

According to a tweet from the EU Commissioner Pon der Raien on the 17th, the 27 EU member states will start vaccination on the 27th, 28th and 29th. The EMA will start a meeting on the 21st to decide on the approval of the vaccine Pfizer-Bioentech.

Reporter Jeong Eun-hye [email protected]