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Where was the virus variant discovered? The British government has recorded more than 1000 cases of the VUI2020 / 12/01 virus mutation in communities, particularly in the south of England. According to the British government, 60 percent of new infections in and around London are currently due to the new strain of the virus.
How contagious is the virus variant? Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned that the VUI2020 / 12/01 variant could be up to 70 percent more contagious than the previously known form of the new coronavirus. However, experts note that it is not yet conclusive whether the virus variant itself is spreading more rapidly in southern England, that is, on its own, or whether it is advancing in an area where Sars-CoV-2’s anyway it’s just being noticed more often. According to experts, superprocessor events could also give the impression of increased infectivity.
How dangerous is the virus variant? Prime Minister Johnson and British Health Secretary Matt Hancock emphasized that there was no evidence that the disease was more severe or that there were more deaths. It is quite possible that the corresponding evidence does not exist. According to experts, mutations in viruses in many cases do not influence how easily the virus spreads or the severity of the symptoms of the disease caused.
The variant doesn’t seem to make you sicker than the previous virus, it just spreads more easily. Then we will have more cases of corona, but not necessarily more severe cases.
Do medicines and vaccines help? According to Premier Johnson, there is no indication that the vaccines are less effective against the new corona variant. UK Senior Scientific Adviser Patrick Vallance also said that Covid-19 vaccines appear to be suitable for eliciting an immune response against the variant of the coronavirus. Chris Smith, a virologist at the University of Cambridge, has the same impression: “The virus has not changed enough to be out of reach of the new vaccines.”
What is happening in the UK? The government informed the WHO days ago that the variant of the virus had been discovered. Due to its rapid spread, a harsh closure with curfews has been in effect since Sunday in London and other areas of south-east England. A total of around 16.4 million people are affected by the tightening, almost a third of England’s population. Even at Christmas they are not allowed to meet members of other households.
The population is struggling with the strictest measures. Immediately after the announcement, many people spontaneously prepared to leave the area. The entire train stations can be seen in photos and videos. London Mayor Sadiq Khan was sympathetic to the new shutdown (the measures followed the advice of science and medicine) but harshly criticized the short-term order.
How does Switzerland react? The new variant of the virus is also on Switzerland’s radar. The Federal Office of Public Health (BAG) is monitoring the situation, but does not want to jump to conclusions. “We are monitoring the situation,” said Katrin Holenstein, BAG’s communications chief, when asked by the Keystone-SDA news agency.
What are other states enacting? Because the same new form of the virus was found in a sample, the Netherlands has not allowed air passengers from Britain to enter the country since Sunday. The Dutch government announced that this ban would initially apply until January 1. The government also urged citizens not to travel unless absolutely necessary. Belgium also wants to suspend air and rail traffic with Great Britain. Germany is considering an entry ban for air passengers. According to expert Christian Drosten, the new variant of the coronavirus has not yet appeared there.
What does the WHO advise? As announced by the World Health Organization on Twitter, it is in close contact with Great Britain due to the spread of the new variant of the corona virus. Information and results would be shared on an ongoing basis. “We will keep Member States and the public informed as we learn more about the characteristics of this variant of the virus and its effects,” emphasizes the WHO. In the meantime, he advises continuing to take all protective measures to prevent the virus from spreading.
