The UK has tightened COVID-19 restrictions following the discovery of a new infectious strain of the virus.
Speaking at a press conference on Downing Street, the Prime Minister announced that the Christmas bubble policy across the Level 1, 2 and 3 areas of England would be pushed back to just Christmas Day.
He also said London and Southeastern areas would be placed in a tougher Tier 4 system and prevented from mixing at Christmas in an effort to prevent a new version of coronavirus from infecting. spread.
Scotland and Wales have also reported limited tensions among the issues arising.
Here are four things we learned today about the new type of coronavirus
The new weight is up to 70 percent more dispersed
The new variable coronavirus could spread more quickly, England’s chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty, said at a press conference on Downing Street on Saturday.
The government’s chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, added that the new snort, which was expected to appear in mid-September in London or Kent, led to a “significant increase in transmission”.
It can be up to 70% more mobile than the old variant.
Sir Patrick said before December that more than 60% of diseases in the capital had been affected by the new change, saying: “It will move fast”.
Evidence vaccination is less effective against new snoring
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said it is very likely the mutation will not respond to a vaccine.
However, Sir Patrick warned that the new variable was becoming mainstream, with a rapid rise in issues in recent days.
Dr Jeremy Farrar, Wellcome ‘s Director, said: “However, the mutation is a reminder of the changing power of the virus, and that cannot be denied in the future. It is essential that you take action to reduce the spread.
“Hard as it was already this year, we must remain humble. Much remains unknown about Covid-19 and it remains a major threat to us all. ”
Guard: PM says residents in Tier 4 must stay at home
There is no evidence that excess weight is lethal
Dr Whitty has stated that there is currently no evidence to suggest that the new stress is causing a higher mortality rate or affecting treatments.
However, he said there was “urgent work” to prove this and warned that it was “more important than ever” that people continue to take action to spread the virus. reduce.
Sir Patrick said: “There is no evidence that it causes a more serious infection, causes more hospitalizations, causes more trouble than the other virus.
“So it basically seems to be.”
A new strain could increase the R level by 0.4
It was revealed that early analysis showed that the new strain could increase the COVID-19 generation rate by 0.4 or more.
Sir Patrick said: “This virus is spreading more easily so more measures are needed to control it.
“We must fundamentally continue to ensure that we reduce our linkages, that we reduce the potential for this virus to spread, which is why tougher measures are needed to control their variability. ”
Professor Peter Openshaw, former President of the British Society of Immunology and Professor of Experimental Medicine at Imperial College London, said: “The information the government has just provided about the new variable coronavirus this is a matter of great concern.
“The duplication time is now just 6 or 7 days so it’s vital we get this under control.”
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