A new mutation of covid-19 identified, says UK Health Minister

British Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, has announced that a new variation of covid-19 has been identified in Britain and that it might be associated with a faster spread of the pandemic. The World Health Organization has also been informed and scientists at the Porton Down laboratory are doing further detailed studies.

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"Initial analyses suggest that this new variant is expanding faster than existing ones," Hancock explained, "We've identified over a thousand infections with this variant at the moment, mostly in the South of England, although cases have been identified in almost 60 different districts. And the numbers are growing rapidly."

"I must emphasize at this point that there is nothing at this time to suggest that this variant is more likely to cause even worse symptoms of the disease and, as appears from the latest clinical data, that it is highly unlikely that this mutation will not respond to a vaccine," the health secretary added, "but we must remain vigilant and follow the rules and everyone must take personal responsibility for not spreading this virus."

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Hancock also advised citizens not to travel to areas with Level 3 restrictions, such as London, for Christmas shopping.  As from this coming Wednesday the British capital is going to face more strict anti- spread measures and will go into lockdown, meaning that pubs and restaurants will have to remain closed. 

“At present time, there is no evidence that this mutation of the coronavirus discovered in Britain behaves differently."  This is what Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove of the WHO said in the regular briefing on covid-19.  The new variation, she explained, "is already being monitored by the Virus Evolution Working Group in the context of the various virus mutations discovered in different parts of the world."

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