Discovered “new variant” of the coronavirus

Health Minister Matt Hancock told the House of Commons on Monday afternoon that they had identified a “new variant” of the coronavirus, which reportedly spread faster than the original variant of the virus.

It further states that they have identified more than 1000 cases of the virus in 60 local areas, mainly in the south of England. The WHO (World Health Organization) must be notified.

– The numbers are increasing rapidly, says Hancock.

According to Sky News, the virus was officially identified for the first time in Kent, in the southeast of England, last week. It is also said to have been discovered in other countries in recent months.

“The first analysis suggests that this variant is growing faster than existing variants,” Hancock said, according to Reuters.

So far, nothing indicates that the new variant of the virus cannot be treated with the corona vaccine, he says.

Will wait for more analysis

Chief Physician Preben Aavitsland of the National Institute of Public Health tells Dagbladet that it will eventually be relevant to hear from the British what the new variant of the virus looks like, and thus check if it is found in any of the Norwegian viruses that have been stored.

– From what I understand, the British believe that the variant is growing faster. I think we will have to wait for more analysis before establishing that it is actually easier to infect, says Aavitsland.

– A mutated variant that is transmitted more easily will eventually replace other variants through natural selection. We’ll see if that happens, he says.

However, he claims there is no connection between the ease with which the virus is transmitted and the severity of the disease.

– A mutated variant can cause a milder disease, the same disease, or a worse disease. The British seem to have concluded that this variant gives the same disease, he says.

Aavitsland says the mutation in the UK is currently not something that worries him much.

– Most viruses with mutations die because the mutation damages the virus. Only a few mutations are passed on in generations of the virus.

– The British believe that the change is so small that it does not destroy the immunity that is obtained after vaccination, he says.

High infection pressure

New and strict restrictions will be introduced in the British capital, London, from Wednesday. The city has moved to level three in the corona pass system.

This is the strictest level in the treadmill system introduced to limit the spread of infections in the UK. On Monday, Health Minister Matt Hancock informed the House of Commons that London now has such high infection pressure that the capital needs new and stricter measures.

The new restrictions will go into effect Wednesday morning. In November, London was one of the regions with the lowest infection pressure in the UK, but this has completely changed in recent weeks, and London is now one of the epicenters of the pandemic in the country.

– We see a very fast exponential spread in London, says Hancock.

They may not meet before Christmas

Danish alarm: – No more to give

Level three means that social restrictions are introduced and that bars, pubs and restaurants must be closed. Only places that offer food delivery and collection will be allowed to remain open.

Social restrictions mean that people can only meet them in their own home indoors and in most public gathering places.

Spectators will also once again be banned from participating in sporting events in the British capital.

However, a separate exception rule means that people from different households can gather in small groups outdoors in parks, playgrounds, or sports facilities.