COVID-19: France detects first case of South Africa's COVID-19 variant

France has detected its first case of South African variant of coronavirus, health ministry confirmed on December 31. mutant virus named 501.V2, was detected on African continent in mid-December and since n has spread to countries as far as UK and Japan. France, one of most affected European nation has reported over 26,77,666 cases and over 64,759 fatalities till w. 

As per a statement by health ministry, infection was found in a man who had returned after a brief stay in South Africa. unidentified man is reported to be a resident of Haut-Rhin region which borders Switzerland. Upon, his return, man had undergone RT-PCR test following symptoms suggestive of COVID-19.

His sample was n tested by National Reference Center for Emerging Viral Infections (CRIVE Switzerland) and National Reference Center for Respiratory Infections Viruses (CNR France), both of which confirmed that it was South African variant. In aftermath of detection, man is kept in isolation and is recovering well. authorities have also set up a robust contact tracing system to stop infection from spreading furr.  

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Mutant virus found in Japan

Japan had detected case of new coronavirus variant 501 on December 28,   government anunced in a statement. Several cases of new highly transmissible coronavirus variant spreading in UK have been already found in country in people who had recently arrived from UK. According to sources of local broadcaster Japan Times, case of South Africa variant had been identified in a woman in her 30s who arrived in Japan on Dec. 19. Health officials said that variant might be responsible for sudden surge in coronavirus outbreak across Japan. 

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga told a press conference that with new year holidays ahead and understaffed hospitals, ministers had to remain alert. Furr, he suspended new entries of nresident foreign nationals into Japan with immediate effect to curb spread from ‘dangerously transmissible’ coronavirus variant. 

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