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A “new variant” of the coronavirus has been identified in the UK, which is believed to cause more rapid spread in the south-east of the country, according to Secretary of State for Health Matt Hancock.
More than 1,000 cases of the new variant were found, “predominantly in southern England,” Hancock said.
It is spreading faster than the existing coronavirus strain and is believed to be driving “very strong exponential growth” in the Southeast. news.sky.com.
So far it has been identified in 60 areas and is believed to be similar to the mutation discovered in other countries in recent months.
Hancock added that there is currently no evidence that the new variant does not respond to the vaccine.
“I should note at this point that there is currently nothing to suggest that this variant can cause more serious disease.”, he said.
Following the discovery, experts say this mutation is highly unlikely to respond to a vaccine.
Furthermore, the World Health Organization has been informed of this.
A Sky News correspondent, Thomas Moore, said the new strain “is not necessarily a cause for concern,” but experts will follow this mutation “closely.”
“This is not the first time. Such mutations have taken place throughout this pandemic. So this is not unusual at all, we don’t have to worry, we have to be very careful.”Moore added.
On the other hand, the Secretary of State in the Ministry of Health announced in the same intervention that London and several neighboring counties are moving to the maximum level of anti-epidemic restrictions, so that as of Wednesday they will have to close their bars and restaurants , it will be limited. and more socialization, but schools remain open. However, two London administrative subdivisions, Greenwich and Islington, decided to close the schools.
“We have seen a very strong and exponential rise in the virus in London, Kent, parts of Essex and Hertfordshire in the last week. We do not know how much is due to the new variant, but whatever the cause, we must act quickly and decisively. ”.said Minister Matt Hancock.
The British government has developed a three-tier system of restrictions against the epidemic, with the capital London currently at the second tier.
