After reporting a mutated strain of the Novel Coronavirus or COVID-19, the United Kingdom (U.K.,) discovered a 2nd COVID-19 strain.
The British Health Secretary Matt Hancock on the 23rd of December, made an announcement regarding the new mutant originally in South Africa.
While the first mutant was claimed by many to be about 70 per cent more infectious than COVID-19, this newly discovered strain is even more transmissible than the first one.
Matt Hancock said, “This new variant is highly concerning because it is yet more transmissible and it appears to have mutated further than the new variant that has been discovered in the U.K.
to the situation in the UK, the appearance of the new variant led to a spike in infections across South Africa as well, with many experts warning about a possible, much larger second wave.
Matt Hancock said, “Thanks to the impressive genomic capability of the South Africans, we’ve detected two cases of another new variant of coronavirus here in the U.K.” He further added, “Both are contacts of cases who have travelled from South Africa over the past few weeks.”
Concern to the current situation, the United Kingdom Government announced a Tier 4 lockdown at 10 Downing Street.
Mr. Hancock said, “Anyone who has been in South Africa during the last fortnight or anyone who were in close contact with anyone in South Africa must be quarantined immediately.” He also urged all arrivals from South Africa in the past two weeks to isolate themselves.
In addition, the United Kingdom Government is also mulling to impose travel restrictions on South Africa.
In the past 24 hours, the U.K., registered 36,804 positive cases, the highest ever since the Novel Coronavirus broke out.
Due to the sudden rise in the COVID-19 cases including two new mutated variants of the virus, the ministers held talks to take decisions regarding stringent lockdown.
Meanwhile, several nations are on alert and imposed travel restrictions to U.K., in the wake of the new strain of COVID-19.
The mutated COVID-19 strain gave panic amongst people globally, especially when they were hoping to get vaccination for the virus in 2021.
