Many international locations anticipate that B.1.1.7’s impression nonetheless lies forward.
That could be a disturbing chance in america, which has lengthy had the world’s largest coronavirus outbreak and is within the midst of a post-holiday surge. On Friday, federal well being specialists warned in dire phrases that B.1.1.7 would most likely be the dominant source of infection in the country by March.
Almost 20 European international locations have discovered B.1.1.7 thus far. In Denmark on Saturday, the authorities stated greater than 250 circumstances had been detected in samples taken since November. The nation’s well being minister has predicted that the variant will predominate by mid-February. The nation’s coronavirus monitor additionally reported that it had recognized a case of the variant present in South Africa, Reuters reported.
Many international locations in Europe are redoubling their efforts at mitigation. A nationwide 6 p.m. curfew went into impact in France on Saturday, and the authorities have warned that they might reimpose strict lockdown measures. Scotland tightened already strict restrictions, together with banning consuming exterior and barring clients from stepping inside institutions to purchase takeaway meals or espresso. Britain and Germany have closed schools.
In a stark distinction, the authorities in Spain have refused to impose a brand new nationwide lockdown, arguing that the latest discovery of dozens of circumstances of the variant was to not blame for a file surge in infections.
On Saturday, Britain reported eight circumstances of one of many variants present in Brazil, hours after the British authorities imposed a journey ban from Latin American international locations and Portugal, which is linked to Brazil by its colonial historical past and by present journey and commerce ties. Italy additionally suspended flights from Brazil, its well being minister, Roberto Speranza, announced on Facebook.
A number one epidemiologist stated {that a} second variant found in Brazil was most certainly already current in Britain.
“We’re one of the crucial linked international locations on this planet, so I might discover it uncommon if we hadn’t imported some circumstances into the U.Okay.,” Professor John Edmunds, a member of a bunch of scientists advising the federal government on the pandemic, stated in regards to the second variant, which was discovered within the Brazilian metropolis of Manaus.
