The new UK Covid-19 snort has knocked down the whole world. Countries around the world have had to impose travel restrictions on the United Kingdom. Scientists say the new COVID-19 snort is about 70 percent more contagious than its predecessor. Moreover, the speed of transmission has left the world in utter turmoil.
Let’s take a look at where this pressure has spread so far, and how countries are preparing for it.
- South Korea
The Korean COVID-19 strain reported three cases of the new COVID-19 strain. These people returned to Korea on December 22 after meeting their family based in London. The people were expelled from the quarters after testing positive for the virus. Korean health authorities are also investigating the case of an elderly man who contracted the virus after this month.
South Korea is now in the middle of a third wave of the coronavirus. The capital Seoul has been reporting more than 1,000 cases per day despite following strict social distance norms.
2. France
The French nation received its first case of the new COVID-19 snort on 19 December. The man who arrived in France from London was asymptomatic and told to stay alone at home. The country had initially monitored its borders, but removed the restrictions to allow people who tested negative to enter the country. France, which already has 2.5 million active cases, will continue to act. A curfew will be placed on New Year’s Eve and public places will be closed.
3. Spain
The Spanish government confirmed the arrival of the new COVID-19 strain in Madrid. Antonio Zapatero, Spain’s deputy head of health, said four people have been infected with the new variant. He said they have not shown any bad symptoms yet. Three others suspected of carrying the new strain will soon receive their test results. Spain has kept its borders open only to Spanish residents and nationals.
4. Japan
Japan has also entered the list of countries hit by the new COVID-19 snort. The country has closed its doors to foreign nationals until January 2021. Japanese residents have been allowed to return and will be tested upon arrival. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said he has done this to try to protect Japanese citizens and their livelihoods. The country plans to compensate for the losses of rewilding and encourage restaurants to stay open for a few hours. Those who do not follow the rules will be punished. A total of 8 people have tested positive for the new variant.
5. Sweden
Sara Buford from the Swedish Public Health Agency was in attendance at a press conference to discuss the country’s first case of the new snoring. She said the man has been alone after arriving from London. Family members of the man have not yet been arrested. The country is now preparing to conduct more tests and closely monitor the release of the new COVID-19 strain. Communication traces, social distance as usual will be followed.
6. Canada
The first two Canadian cases of the mutant variant were found in twins. They were put in solitude the day Ontario stopped the lock again. Dr. Barbara Yaffe who is the chief medical officer in Ontario stressed the importance of people staying at home. The country has banned people from entering South Africa in the United Kingdom. It has already started distributing the Moderna coronavirus vaccine.
7. Australia
Australia decided to end their Christmas and New Year plans after discovering two mutant cases of Covid-19. The government has imposed strict measures to quarantine hotel people for 14 days. A ban on flights is now in place. In addition, the country has also detected several groups of cases of coronavirus in some northern beaches. People have been fined for violating restrictions.
8. South Africa
A new snoring has begun to circulate in the African country. This strain has only been found in South Africa so far. Things have exceeded the 1 million mark as a result of this snoring. This mutant variant is different from the United Kingdom variant. The first case was reported in Nelson Mandela Bay, and it puts a strain on the country’s health system. Many countries such as Israel, Turkey, Germany, the United Kingdom have banned flights from South Africa.
9. Jordan
Jordan’s health minister Nazir Obeidat said a couple have been infected with the new snort. Authorities said the couple are in good health at the moment. The country has decided on the free release of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine.
10. China
Shenzhen China technology center described its first case of the mutant strain. About 800,000 people from Shunyi district in Beijing will be diagnosed after Beijing saw very little increase in coronavirus cases. Two towns in the area were closed off from the surrounding areas. Civil servants must remain in Beijing until January 1st. No public places will be open and travel bans will be lifted.
Also read: India over 1 crore case of COVID-19; 95% recovery rate
Anoushka Das is an intern at SheThePeople.TV.