“Eight countries in the European region have identified a new variant of COVID-19 VOC-202012/01.
It is vital to strengthen existing protective measures, ”he wrote on Twitter.
He called for distancing and wearing masks.
Unlike the previous ones, the new strain of coronavirus is likely spreading among younger age groups, he said.
Kluge stressed the need to remain vigilant while research continues on a new variant of the virus.
8 countries in the @WHO_Europe region have now identified the new # COVID19 variant VOC-202012/01.
It is vital to strengthen existing protective measures: distancing / masks / staying in core support bubbles.
@WHO is continuing to monitor & will provide updates👉 #solidarity is key
- Hans Kluge (@hans_kluge) December 25, 2020
Earlier, the WHO representative in Russia Melita Vujnovich noted that the mutation of the coronavirus, which was found in the UK, is insignificant and does not affect the effectiveness of drugs for COVID-19.