Two cases of highly concerning South Africa virus variant detected in UK
The new variant has triggered a surge of cases and may be spreading more widely in younger groups
23 December 2020 • 7:42pm
Mourners grieve for a family member who died from Covid-19 in April in Johannesburg
Credit: AP Photo/Jerome Delay
Two cases of a “highly concerning” new coronavirus variant first identified in South Africa have been detected in the UK, triggering stringent new quarantine restrictions on anyone arriving from the rainbow nation.
The variant, known as 501.V2, “is yet more transmissible” than the strain wreaking havoc in Britain, according to the health secretary Matt Hancock.
British lockdown to expand as cases of another COVID-19 variant surface in England theglobeandmail.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from theglobeandmail.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
23 Dec 2020, 15:24
Updated: 24 Dec 2020, 0:12
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TWO Brits have been diagnosed with another new and highly concerning coronavirus mutation from South Africa , it emerged today.
Matt Hancock said the new variant is even more contagious than another new strain detected in Kent and London earlier this month, which led to millions being plunged into Tier 4 restrictions over Christmas.
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Matt Hancock today revealed a second new strain of the virus had been detectedCredit: AP:Associated Press
The Health Secretary urged anyone who has returned from South Africa in the last two weeks to quarantine immediately - and said close contacts of any travellers should also self-isolate.