A new mutation of the coronavirus, which probably originated from South Africa, has appeared in the UK, UK Minister of Health Matt Hancock says.
Two cases of infection with the new mutation have been registered.
Both are contacts of people who have traveled from South Africa in recent weeks, Hancock said on Wednesday.
The UK is now introducing travel restrictions for people coming from South Africa.
According to Hancock, all travelers who have arrived from South Africa in the last two weeks must isolate themselves immediately.
Last week, a new mutation of the coronavirus, which could be up to 70% more contagious according to British researchers, was discovered in the UK.
Travel restrictions
It prompted a number of countries to impose strict travel restrictions to and from the UK.
Another mutation appeared in South Africa a few days ago. It is dominant in the country’s second virus wave, according to researchers.
Several countries have also introduced travel restrictions to and from South Africa.
Researchers suggest that the variant spreads faster. The rapid development of infection in the country is much sharper and comes much earlier than expected in the second wave.
The number of new cases in South Africa has more than doubled in two weeks, and the death toll is rising almost as fast.
© NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today
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