New COVID-19 strain: Everything about the new variant of coronavirus spreading rapidly

Amid COVID-19 pandemic, a new variant of vel coronavirus has been flagged for spreing rapidly across UK for w. Even though it is a well-kwn fact that viruses mutate all time and some of m even die out, it is a very rare occasion when new strains trigger dramatic changes. However, with over 1,000 cases of variant discovered in UK, scientists are puzzled to determine if variant, reportedly named as VUI-202012/01 falls into which category or if it represents an increased health risk especially when some nations began ministering COVID-19 vaccines among people. 

Why is new COVID-19 variant causing worry?

Experts from both United States and UK indicated that new strain appeared to infect more easily than rest of mutations that coronavirus has shown through months. However, re is t yet any evidence if variant is more dely. British government’s chief scientific viser Patrick Vallance reportedly said that strain “moves fast and is becoming dominant variant” causing over 70% of infections in country. 

strain is concerning t only because it is rapidly spreing but it reportedly shows mutations that affect part of virus likely to be important and some of se mutations have alrey shown experts that increase ability of pathogen to infect host cells. 

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How fast is new strain spreing?

new strain, which can be new worry for medical professionals, was reportedly first discovered in September. This was followed by a quarter of cases in London by vember and by mid-December, it has reached to two-thirds of cases. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson h also said that variant may be up to 70% more transmissible. Except for rrn Ireland, new COVID-19 strain can be found across UK.

What has WHO said about it?

Even World Health Organisation (WHO) h 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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Will existing COVID-19 vaccines work on variant?

European Union (EU) experts believe that existing COVID-19 vaccine candidates against vel coronavirus are also effective against new strain that is rapidly spreing across Uk except rrn Ireland. German Health Minister Jens Spahn told public brocaster ZDF that based on kwledge authorities have so far about variant, new strain “has impact on vaccines” because y remain “just as effective”. 

Spahn me claim citing “talks among experts of European authorities” while referring to COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer-BioNTech that is alrey being ministered in several countries including United States and UK. 

Are re any or mutations of coronavirus?

Apart from most recent mutation discovered in UK, D614G mutation h emerged in Europe back in February and later became globally dominant form of virus. Ar reportedly named A222V, h spre across Europe and was connected to people's summer holidays in Spain.

How have or nations reacted to spre in UK?

Several countries including India, France, Italy, Cana among ors have banned flights from Britain in wake of “out of control” situation. France has halted all travels from UK where new virus strain can be found across nation except rrn Ireland. Most recently, a traveller from UK led Italy to detect first case of COVID-19 variant. Germany has also banned trave from foreign nation and is slated to last until December 31. Following is list of nations that have banned travel from UK for at least two weeks in wake of situation:

• India
• Cana
• France
• Germany
• Italy
• Nerlands
• Belgium
• Austria
• Sweden
• Switzerland (halted travel from UK, South Africa)
• Bulgaria
• Romania
• Turkey (banned citizens from Denmark, UK)
• Iran
• Israel (barred citizens travelling from UK, Denmark and South Africa)
• Kuwait
• El Salvor
• Argentina
• Chile
• Morocco
• Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania

Present situation in UK?

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on December 19 anunced strict "Tier 4" curbs in several counties as a measure to contain spre of new strain, which experts say, spres faster than all or previous variants. All n-essential services, including gyms, swimming pools, cinemas, hairdresser shops, and or retail outlets will remain closed in country. People living in Tier 4 areas are only allowed to leave home for work, childcare purposes, and exercise.

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