Health officials in Canada, Japan and several other European Union countries on Saturday confirmed new cases of the Covid-19, first found in England.
Why it’s important: No evidence has been found that the original strain is more deadly, with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement that it could be 70% more transmissible, prompting dozens of countries to ask for a travel ban from the United Kingdom.
- The tension, known as B1.1.7, led to an increase in cases in which millions of people in England and Wales were seen locking up during the holidays.
- Some officials worry that it may not be gaining traction around the world, as many countries have sophisticated genomic surveillance that enabled British scientists to make such discoveries, according to the New York Times.
What’s happening: The Public Health Agency of Canada confirmed the first two cases of new coronavirus strain in North America on Saturday evening in the province of Nantario.
- The agency noted in a statement that “both cases have not been able to travel outside of Canada.”
Officers in Japan The country will close the border to all non-resident foreign nationals from midnight on Monday to January, it said on Saturday. 311 After seven people tested positive for the variant, the broadcaster NHK.
In Spain, According to Al Jazeera, Madrid’s regional government announced on Saturday that four people had been infected with the B1.1.7 strain.
Public Health Agency of Sweden A Reuters note on Saturday said the strain was discovered in a returning tourist from the UK.
Ministry of Health of France The country’s first B1.1.7 case was confirmed late Friday night, according to AFP.
For listing: Coronavirus vaccines are being rolled out in North America, European Union countries and countries around the world.
- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen Tweeted on Saturday“Vaccination is a permanent way out of the epidemic.”
- There is no evidence that the strain of B.1.1.7 may affect the effectiveness of this vaccination.
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