A new variant of the coronavirus is spreading rapidly in the UK. Very contagious, it has led to a strengthening of restrictive measures for the end of year celebrations and flight bans in Europe.
“We are learning more about it every day”
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the new, rapidly growing variant of the virus is 70% more transmissible than existing strains and appears to be leading to a rapid rise in new infections with London (where it represents 60% of new cases) and in the south ofEngland. However, there is currently no evidence that this is more fatal, that it leads to more severe forms of Covid-19 or that vaccines are less effective against it.
At the start of last week, just over 1,100 cases of Covid-19 presenting the new variant had been identified, according to a statement by Public Health England, and the strain was also detected in South Africa. In response to this push, the United Kingdom tightened restrictive measures until at least December 30, in order to slow its spread.
” We are learning more about it every day. When the virus changes the method of attack, we must change our method of defense “, said Johnson at a press conference on Saturday. ” Given the speed at which this new variant is spreading, it will be very difficult to keep it under control until the vaccine has been widely deployed. “, For his part estimated the Minister of Health Matt hancock.
A new, more contagious strain
Virus mutations are not unusual, and scientists have already identified thousands of different mutations among coronavirus samples since late 2019. However, the majority of these have no effect on how easily the virus spreads. spreads or on the severity of symptoms.
When the new strain emerged last week in United Kingdom, health officials questioned whether the rapid spread of the virus was due to widespread neglect or the contagiousness of the variant itself. After further research, it turned out that it was much more transmissible. However, it is unlikely that it would call into question the effectiveness of vaccines, since they generate an immune response against several characteristics of the virus.
Therefore, even if any of these characteristics change, the immune system would still be able to recognize the pathogen and protect the vaccine recipient.
Several countries suspend flights from the UK
In response to the rapid spread of the virus in United Kingdom, the Netherlands have suspended all commercial flights from Britain until at least January 1. ” In order to limit the introduction of this new strain from the UK, we recommend limiting and / or controlling passenger movements », Explained the Dutch public health organization.
Several other member countries of theEuropean Union, including L’Germany, the Belgium, the France, theItaly and theIreland, subsequently announced similar measures.