WHO says in close contact with UK officials about a new variant of COVID-19 virus

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British government health information advertisement highlights new restrictions on the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) infection in London, Britain, 19 December 2020. REUTERS / Toby Melville

(Reuters) – The World Health Organization said on Saturday it was in close contact with UK officials about a new variant of the new COVID-19 virus.

“They (UK officials) will continue to share the information & results of their analysis and ongoing studies. We will update Member States & the public as we learn more about the features of this virus change & any impact” , WHO said in a tweet bit.ly/34rB10s.

A new strain of coronavirus identified in the UK is up to 70% more contagious but is not thought to be more lethal and vaccines should remain effective, Prime Minister Boris Johnson and scientists said Saturday.

Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Bengaluru; Edited by Cynthia Osterman

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