'New variant' of coronavirus identified in UK, health secretary says

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It is "highly unlikely" the new mutation would not respond to a coronavirus vaccine, Mr Hancock told the Commons today.

 

A "new variant" of coronavirus has been identified in the UK, which is believed to be causing the faster spread in the South East, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said.

 

Its spread is growing faster than the existing variant, with over 1,000 cases, "predominantly in the south of England", Mr Hancock told the House of Commons this afternoon.

 

There have been reports of the new variant in 60 local authority areas, and it is believed to be similar to that found in other countries over the last few months.

 

Mr Hancock told MPs there is currently "nothing to suggest" this variant is more likely to cause serious symptoms, adding that it is highly unlikely that it won't respond to a vaccine.

 

The government has notified the World Health Organisation, he added.

 

It comes after the health secretary announced that London, parts of Essex and Hertfordshire will go into the toughest Tier 3 restrictions at midnight on Wednesday.

 

A decision on whether the capital and parts of the South East should move up a tier was due on Wednesday, but Mr Hancock said the surge in cases made it necessary to bring the changes forward.

 

Source