A new variant of the Coronavirus identified in England

A new strain of the Coronavirus has been identified in England pushing the country back into strict lockdown. The British Health Secretary Matt Hancock has warned the people in UK saying this new variant is causing a rapid spread of the virus and the British government confirmed a new spike in Covid-19 cases in various parts of the country. The new virus is found to be spreading faster in certain parts of England.

Hancock also said that the World Health Organization (WHO) has been notified about the issue and there are serious concerns if the existing vaccines against Covid-19 will work against this new variant as well.

The presence of this variant has been identified in about a thousand newly infected people in the country. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has imposed strict three-tier lockdown restrictions in England closing down restaurants, theatres and other hospitality venues. People are restricted from travelling to and from the tier three areas.

WHO however confirmed the presence of the new variant of the coronavirus but also said it has not been determined whether this variant is more dangerous than the existing Covid-19 virus. The mutations in the influenza viruses are normal and a part of its evolution but according to scientists, it is necessary to immediately spot any such changes to understand its behaviour.