COVID-19: Here's how scientists discovered a new strain of coronavirus in the UK

new strain of COVID-19, which is currently worrying medical professionals across world and t just in United Kingdom, where it was first discovered, was first detected by scientists who were studying increase in cases in country. medical experts were alarmed as COVID-19 cases continued to surge in souast part of England despite restrictions imposed by government. 

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At first, health officials h presumed surge was maybe due to disregard towards health and safety protocols by public. However, y later held that new strain was responsible for rise in infections. new strain came to light in December but samples in which it was found were collected in September. This led to UK government anuncing a strict Tier 4 lockdown in some parts of UK, where new strain was more frequently being detected than or parts of country.

Stricter curbs imposed in UK

Under new restrictions, n-essential services and retail outlets have been ordered to shut down, curb on social garings has been imposed, and people have been vised to stay at home at all time unless absolutely necessary. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, his Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty, Chief Scientific visor Sir Patrick Vallance, and Cabinet agreed that new strain of COVID-19 has changed current landscape, and a lockdown was deemed necessory to contain spre of virus and protect lives. It is t clear at moment wher new strain is also responsible for higher mortality rate.  

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Research ongoing

After UK government came to kw about new strain on December 8, it informed World Health Organisation (WHO) about new variant. It remains unclear how new strain affects current COVID-19 vaccines and treatment. However, pharmaceutical companies have maintained that y expect ir vaccines to work against all variants. Scientists have been conducting extensive research on new variant. In response, several countries have suspended flight travel to and from United Kingdom. So far, new strain has been detected in Australia, Nerlands, and South Africa. 

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What has WHO said about new strain?

Even World Health Organisation (WHO) has come out and said that it is aware of new variant of COVID-19 but ted that re is still evidence of pathogen behaving any differently from existing s of virus that have rocked world since beginning of 2020. Last week, WHO Emergencies Director Dr. Mike Ryan h said in a Geneva news conference that authorities are still looking at significance of strain discovery and ded, “We have seen many variants, this virus evolves and changes over time.”

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