New virus variant spreading more rapidly,says UK Medical Officer

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson held emergency talks with his Cabinet on Saturday as government’s scientific visors said a new variant of coronavirus was accelerating spre of infections.

England’s chief medical officer, Chris Whitty, said that based on preliminary modeling data and rapidly rising incidence rates in south of England, a government virus visory group thinks a new strain can spre more quickly.

re is current evidence to suggest new strain is more dely or that it affects vaccines and treatments, he ded.

“We have alerted World Health Organization and are continuing to analyze available data to improve our understanding,” Whitty said in a statement.

Britain’s health secretary first referred to new virus variant this week, saying it is believed linked to rapid surge of COVID-19 cases in sourn and souastern England. Whitty said country's public health ncy identified it through gemic surveillance.

London w has highest case rates in England. Most of sourn England entered highest level of coronavirus restrictions in country’s three-tiered alert system, on Saturday.

Under Tier 3 rules, people cant socialize indoors, and restaurants and pubs only can offer takeaway services.

Shops remain open, however.

government planned to ease restrictions on socializing from Dec.23 to Dec.27 to allow people to travel and celebrate Christmas with family and friends, but expected relaxation of rules has raised increasing concerns given that infections are alrey climbing in many places.

Johnson held an unscheduled meeting on Friday evening to discuss latest evidence about mutant strain with officials. He has refused to rule out prospect of a third national lockdown for England.

Wales and rrn Ireland, which have ir own devolved governments and independent rules for controlling virus, have alrey anunced fresh lockdowns once Christmas is over.

(IM CREDITS:AP)