A new strain of coronavirus was found in Malaysia, reports The Star, citing the Ministry of Health.
The mutation was found in 60 samples taken from patients in the eastern state of Sabah. It is not yet known whether this variant of the virus is more contagious or aggressive than usual. The new mutation is similar to the strain previously found in South Africa, Australia and the Netherlands, authorities said.
UK Health Minister Matthew Hancock announced on December 14 that a new strain of SARS-CoV-2 has been identified in the country, which is spreading faster than the original form. The new form of coronavirus is widespread in the UK and is rapidly replacing the previous form. The mutated virus was also found in patients in the Netherlands, Denmark, Australia and Italy.
Earlier, the Danish authorities revealed a mutation of the N439K coronavirus less sensitive to the vaccine. Its carriers are about ten percent of all those tested in the country for infection with a confirmed diagnosis. This mutation is reported to be unrelated to that previously found in the UK.