New & more infectious Covid strain found in UK

A new and potentially more infectious variant of the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 has been found in Britain. These are in cases linked to South Africa, according to British Health authorities.

South Africa’s health department said last week that a new genetic mutation of the virus had been discovered and might be responsible for a recent rise in infections there.

The cases in UK are people who have travelled from South Africa over the past few weeks.

Britain is already trying to stop the spread of a mutated strain of the virus which is up to 70% more transmissible. Further studies aerie being carried out on the new variant.

“This new variant is highly concerning, because it is yet more transmissible, and it appears to have mutated further than the new variant has been discovered in the UK,” said an official in the UK.

Immediate restrictions were being imposed on travel from South Africa, he added.

Countries around the world have in recent days closed their borders to both Britain and South Africa following the identification of the new, fast-spreading variants of the coronavirus.

Watch in Sign Language