A new and more contagious variant of the coronavirus emerging in the UK has begun to dominate London. This was announced at a press conference by England’s chief sanitary doctor Chris Whitty and senior government medical adviser Patrick Vallans. Their words are quoted by RIA Novosti .
“The spread of the new variant of the coronavirus is really happening incredibly fast,” Whitty said. In this regard, the Prime Minister Boris Johnson from Sunday, December 20, introduces in London and the southeast of the country, the fourth highest level of restrictions.
“The spread of the virus outside of these areas carries a great risk,” said Vallance. “In December, a new variant became dominant in London.”
The new variant of the virus, according to preliminary estimates, may be 70 percent more infectious than usual, but there is no confirmation yet that it is more dangerous in terms of mortality.
Earlier in December, UK Health Minister Matthew Hancock reported that discovered a new strain of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which spreads faster than the original form. The virus spreads more easily from person to person and is therefore more contagious, he said. Later, the chief physician of Great Britain Chris Whitty confirmed that the new type of coronavirus has a high spread .