WHO says in close contact with UK officials on new Covid-19 virus variant

Coronavirus chronicle

Reuters
20 December, 2020, 03:35 pm
Last modified: 20 December, 2020, 03:32 pm
FILE PHOTO: The headquarters of the World Health Organization (WHO) are pictured during the World Health Assembly (WHA) following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in Geneva, Switzerland, May 18, 2020. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo

The World Health Organisation said on Saturday it was in close contact with UK officials over a new Covid-19 virus variant.

"They'll (UK officials) continue to share info & results of their analysis & ongoing studies. We'll update Member States & public as we learn more about the characteristics of this virus variant & any implications", WHO said in a tweet. 

A new strain of coronavirus identified in the United Kingdom is up to 70% more infectious but it is not thought to be more deadly and vaccines should still be effective, Prime Minister Boris Johnson and scientists said on Saturday.

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