UK reports two cases of new South African COVID-19 strain, tightens lockdown restrictions

The United Kingdom reported identifying two cases of another new strain of COVID-19 linked to South Africa on Wednesday, December 23. Like the UK variant identified earlier, the new South African variant of COVID-19 is also adding to the surge in cases of infection, with experts warning the country is probably facing a much larger second wave.

"Both [cases of the new variant] are contacts of cases who have travelled from South Africa over the past few weeks," said UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock while addressing a briefing from 10 Downing Street. "This new variant is highly concerning because it is yet more transmissible and it appears to have mutated further than the new variant that has been discovered in the UK," he added.

Read: US May Already Have Hundreds Of Cases Of New Coronavirus Strain, Claim Researchers

New mutation

Hancock confirmed the immediate travel ban from South Africa and urged those who have been in South Africa or been in contact with someone linked with the country in the last fortnight to immediately quarantine. Meanwhile, UK's specialist laboratory Porton Down is running analysis on the new mutation and its trajectory.

On the vaccine front, Hancock informed that the Oxford University vaccine being produced by AstraZeneca has submitted its full data package for regulatory approval, even as the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine rollout continues. 

Read: New Coronavirus Strain From UK Not Detected In India Yet, Says ICMR-NARI Director

Travel Ban on UK flights

After the new COVID-19 variant was discovered in South Africa, at least five countries suspended flights from the region. These countries include Germany, Turkey, Israel, Switzerland, and Saudi Arabia. Germany was one of the first nations to introduce the ban. 

The WHO, on the other hand, called for stronger containment measures across Europe. According to the Associated Press, Canada and Poland are among the latest countries to halt flights from the UK, following the lead of many in Europe. France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Denmark, Ireland, and Bulgaria have also announced widespread restrictions on flights from the UK. 

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(With Agency Inputs)