Lagatar24 Desk
Washington, Nov 26: UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid announced a temporary suspension of flights from six countries after reports emerged that a new variant of Covid is spreading in South Africa.
These include South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Eswatini. UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid said, “The country’s health agency is investigating the new variant. We need more data, but we are taking precautions. These 6 African countries will be put in the Red List and travelers coming to Britain will have to stay in Quarantine.”
Due to increasing risk of the new variant of COVID-19 WHO has called an emergency meeting on Friday. British scientists also warned about the new variant found in Botswana. There are 32 mutations in it, due to which even the vaccine is not effective against it. This variant is spreading rapidly by modifying its spike protein. The matter of danger for India is that the new strain has reached Hong Kong.
South Africa’s National Institute of Infectious Diseases said, So far 22 cases of this variant have been found in the country. Scientists have named it B.1.1.529. It has been described as a variant of serious concern. Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, technical head of the Corona case at WHO, said “We have not received much information about this variant. Due to multiple mutations, the behavior of the virus is changing and this is a matter of concern.”
COVID-19 UPDATE:@UKHSA is investigating a new variant. More data is needed but we're taking precautions now.
From noon tomorrow six African countries will be added to the red list, flights will be temporarily banned, and UK travellers must quarantine.
— Sajid Javid (@sajidjavid) November 25, 2021
In India all airports have been instructed to screen passengers arriving from Hong Kong and Botswana. The central government has instructed the states to take special vigilance. States have been asked to thoroughly screen travelers arriving from South Africa, Hong Kong and Botswana.
In a letter to the states and UTs, Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said, samples found positive should be sent to the Genome Sequencing Laboratory immediately. The country’s National Center for Disease Control has also warned about this variant.
