The new coronavirus variant can evade vaccines and its spread is a "very worrying" factor. This was stated by British Health Minister Sajid Javid referring to the House of Commons on the new mutation of the virus, B.1.1.529 , which is spreading in South Africa.
Just for today, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (Ecdc) has announced the publication of a "threat assessment document on the subject".
The new variant of the coronavirus is the most significant discovered by scientists so far, as stated by a senior UK health official and reported by the BBC. "Urgent research is underway to find out more about its transmissibility, severity and susceptibility to vaccines," said Jenny Harries, chief executive of the UK's Health Safety Agency (Ukhsa).
Scientists are currently examining "which public health actions can limit the impact of B.1.1.529", and therefore a new set of restrictions to contain the possible and consequent new wave of infections.
The eventual "plan B" in Great Britain would see a return to work from home, the mandatory use of a mask and the use of the "green pass".
(Unioneonline / vl)