Chinanews, December 22nd, reported that a mutated new crown virus was recently discovered in the UK. The virus may appear in September, leading to an increase in infection rates in many places and triggering more than 40 countries and regions around the world to "close" the UK.
On the other hand, although many scientists in the UK said that the mutated new coronavirus is easier to spread, WHO officials said on the 21st local time that the mutated new coronavirus has not been out of control and can be controlled by existing measures.
On December 8, local time, the United Kingdom began to receive the new crown vaccine.
The mutant virus was "exposed" as early as September
Will it invalidate the vaccine?
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reported on the 21st that the mutant virus was first discovered in September 2020.
Statistics in November showed that a quarter of the confirmed cases in London were related to the mutant virus.
By mid-December, this number was close to two-thirds.
The BBC cited that the following three points merged together, which aroused people's attention:
• It is rapidly replacing other versions of the new coronavirus;
• Importantly, it can partially affect the mutation of the new coronavirus;
• Some mutations have been tested in the laboratory, mutations enhance the ability of the virus to infect cells;
These factors have led to the production of a mutated new coronavirus with stronger transmission.
The virus strain is abnormally highly mutagenic, and the most likely explanation is that it appears in patients who are unable to resist the virus and have weak immune systems.
The most worrying point is whether it will avoid the effect of the antibodies that the vaccine hopes to produce, and cause the vaccine to lose its efficacy.
On December 21, local time, after the UK announced the discovery of the mutant virus, many EU countries imposed a traffic blockade on the UK.
On the M20 motorway near Ashford, England, long-distance freight trucks could not leave the country and lined up on the side of the road.
This mutant virus is easier to spread
In addition to the United Kingdom, there are similar cases in these countries...
On the 21st local time, a number of British scientists said in a briefing that after checking multiple data, they are now "very confident" that this mutant virus strain is more likely to spread than other virus mutations circulating in the UK.
On the same day, Maria Van Kokhoff, the technical director of the WHO's health emergency project, said that countries have now sequenced the virus, looking for cases infected with a variant of the new coronavirus discovered in the UK.
There have been cases in some countries, including Australia, Iceland, Italy, the Netherlands and Denmark.
On the same day, French Health Minister Vilan also stated that the mutated new coronavirus has the possibility of spreading in France, and the French health department is conducting related research on the virus.
Dechristian Drosten, a well-known German virologist and professor at Berlin Charité University Hospital, pointed out that the mutant new crown virus that appeared in the UK already exists in Germany.
Data map: WHO Director-General Ghebreyesus.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Peng Dawei
The situation is out of control? WHO: Don't panic too much
Research: There is no evidence that the fatality rate of mutant viruses is higher
"The mutant new crown virus strain that is causing the capital London and the southeastern part of the United Kingdom to implement the highest level of fourth-level blockade may have been out of control." On December 20, British Health Secretary Matthew Hancock said in an interview with the media.
Although various countries are urgently adopting "blockade" measures to "keep out British tourists", has the matter really reached an uncontrollable level?
On December 21, the World Health Organization pointed out that the mutated new coronavirus in the United Kingdom has not yet gone out of control and can be controlled by existing measures.
Michael Ryan, the head of WHO's health emergency project, said, "The current pandemic has seen a lot of increase in the epidemic rate at different points in time. We have successfully controlled it." "So from this point of view, The current situation is not out of control, but it cannot be ignored either."
World Health Organization officials cited British research data and pointed out that there is no clear evidence that this mutant virus has a higher fatality rate, although it seems to be more easily spread.
In addition, the WHO appeals to the public not to panic too much. This is a normal phenomenon in the evolution of the epidemic and can be controlled by relevant measures.
On December 21, local time, after the UK announced the discovery of the mutant virus, many EU countries imposed a traffic blockade on the UK.
On the M20 motorway near Ashford, England, long-distance freight trucks could not leave the country and lined up on the side of the road.
More than 40 countries announced travel bans
British imported food supply may be interrupted
According to British media statistics, more than 40 countries or regions have announced that they will suspend the entry of British flights, or that after the new coronavirus test results are negative, only their citizens can be allowed to enter.
Among them, France announced that within 48 hours from 24:00 local time on the 20th, it will suspend all travel of personnel from the United Kingdom, including freight personnel travel related to roads, railways, air, and waterways.
Due to French restrictions, the ferry terminal from the Port of Dover to France has been closed.
Mackenzie, policy director of the British Road Transport Association, said that the French ban will have a "destructive impact" on the British supply chain, and even face the risk of interruption of the supply of imported food.
On the 21st, the European Union held an emergency meeting on the mutation of the new crown virus to discuss whether to issue a comprehensive traffic ban on the UK.
A European diplomat said, "Participants at the meeting expressed their support for swift action to agree on a coordinated approach among EU countries to deal with issues with the UK, and called on the Executive Committee to develop guidelines.
A source said that EU ambassadors will also meet on the 22nd to discuss and determine the final way to lift border restrictions on the UK, including requiring all entry personnel to be tested for the virus.
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