Mutated coronavirus is also detected in Switzerland

The one that happened in Britain A variant of the coronavirus has also been detected in Germany for the first time. The mutated variant B.1.1.7 was found on Thursday in a woman who entered Baden-Württemberg from Great Britain on December 20. This was announced by the Stuttgart Ministry of Health. The woman has mild symptoms and is in domestic isolation. Three close contacts are also in quarantine.

The woman had flown from London Heathrow to Frankfurt am Main, to visit relatives in the Freudenstadt district. “A quick test of all passengers for Sars-CoV-2 was carried out at the airport upon entry, which was positive for the person in question,” said a ministry spokesman. She was later picked up by relatives in a car. “To confirm the diagnosis, a PCR test was performed on December 21, 2020, which was also positive.” Close contacts have not yet gotten sick. A smear test of contact persons was started.

The new variant of the coronavirus may be significantly more contagious than the previously known form. After the mutation became known, most EU states decided to heavily restrict travel to and from Britain to prevent it from spreading. So far, 33 cases of the new variant have been detected in Denmark. Now he has also performed in the Netherlands.

Berlin virologist Christian Drosten had already stated on Tuesday that it was quite likely that B.1.1.7 was now also in Germany. With the current restrictions on the confinement “this variant is likely to become quite established in this country,” said Drosten. “I don’t think we will have a bigger problem there anytime soon.” So far, there is no evidence that the new variant has an impact on the severity of the disease.

The head of vaccine maker Biontech, Ugur Sahin, said Tuesday that his preparation is highly likely to work against the new variant. (sda / dpa)