UK reports two cases of a second Covid-19 variant from South Africa

NEWS 23.12.202017:21
Pau Barrena / AFP

British Health authorities have detected two cases of yet another new variant of Covid-19, originally identified in South Africa, British Health Secretary Matt Hancock said on Wednesday.

“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,” Hancock said. “Both are contacts of cases who have travelled from South Africa over the past few weeks.”

The Health Secretary announced new restrictions for travellers arriving in the UK from South Africa and also told those who have been in contact with people arriving from South Africa, in the past 15 days, to go into quarantine immediately.

“These measures are temporary while we investigate further this new strain which is shortly to be analyzed at Porton Down,” he said.