December 22nd Comprehensive report: Recently, the United Kingdom has discovered a mutant novel coronavirus, which may appear in September, causing the infection rate to rise in many places and triggering more than 40 countries and regions around the world to “block the UK”.
On the other hand, although several British scientists said that mutant COVID-19 is more likely to spread, WHO officials said on the 21st local time that mutant COVID-19 has not yet got out of control and can be controlled by existing measures.
On December 8th, local time, the United Kingdom began to be vaccinated against the novel coronavirus.
Mutant virus was “exposure” as early as September
Will it make the vaccine invalid?
The BBC reported on the 21st that the mutant virus was first discovered in September 2020.
Statistics in November showed that a quarter of confirmed cases in London were related to the mutant virus.
By mid-December, this figure was close to two-thirds.
The BBC cited that the following three points have merged and attracted great attention:
• It is rapidly replacing other COVID-19 versions;
• Importantly, it can partially affect the mutation of COVID-19;
• Some mutations have been tested in the laboratory, and mutations have enhanced the ability of viruses to infect cells;
These factors have led to the emergence of a more transmitted mutant novel coronavirus.
The strain of the virus is unusually highly mutant, most likely explained as it appears in patients with weak immune systems that cannot resist the virus.
The most worrying point is whether it will avoid the antibody effect that the vaccine hopes to produce on it and cause the vaccine to lose its effectiveness.
On December 21st, local time, after the discovery of the mutant virus was announced in the United Kingdom, many European Union countries imposed a traffic blockade on the United Kingdom. On the M20 motorway near Ashford, England, long-distance freight trucks cannot leave the country and queue up on the roadside, like the same train stopping on the roadside.
This mutant virus is easier to spread.
In addition to the UK, there are similar cases in these countries…
On the 21st local time, several British scientists said in a briefing that by checking multiple data, they are now “very sure” that the mutant strain is more likely to spread than other virus mutants transmitted in the UK.
On the same day, Maria van Kohoff, technical director of the WHO Health Emergency Project, said that countries have now launched virus sequencing to look for cases infected with the variant of the novel coronavirus found in the United Kingdom. Such cases have appeared in some countries, including Australia, Iceland, Italy, the Netherlands and Denmark.
On the same day, French Health Minister Villán also said that the mutant novel coronavirus is likely to spread in France, and the French health department is conducting research on the virus. De Christian Drosten, a well-known German virologist and professor at the University of Berlin Scharitai Hospital, pointed out that the mutant novel coronavirus in Britain already exists in Germany.
Is the situation out of control? WHO: Don’t panic too much
Study: No evidence shows a higher mortality rate of mutant viruses
“The mutant strain of COVID-19 that is leading to the highest level of level 4 blockade in the capital London and the southeastern part of the United Kingdom may have been out of control.” On December 20, British Health Secretary Matthew Hancock said in an interview with the media.
While countries are taking emergency “lockdown” measures to “slid out” British travelers, is things really out of control?
On December 21, the World Health Organization pointed out that the mutant novel coronavirus in the United Kingdom has not yet got out of control and can be controlled by the current measures.
Michael Ryan, head of the WHO Health Emergency Project, said, “At different points in time, there have also been a lot of increased epidemic transmission rates, and we have successfully controlled it.” So in this regard, the current situation is not out of control, but it cannot be ignored.
World Health Organization officials cited British research data and noted that there was no clear evidence that the mutant virus had a higher lethality rate, although it seemed to be more likely to spread.
In addition, WHO calls on the public not to panic too much, which is a normal phenomenon in the evolution of the epidemic and can be controlled by relevant measures.
On December 21st, local time, after the discovery of the mutant virus was announced in the United Kingdom, many European Union countries imposed a traffic blockade on the United Kingdom.
On the M20 motorway near Ashford, England, long-distance freight trucks cannot leave the country and queue up on the roadside, like the same train stopping on the roadside.
More than 40 countries issued travel bans
The supply of imported food in Britain may be interrupted.
According to British media statistics, more than 40 countries or regions have announced the suspension of British flights, or said that only their citizens can be allowed to enter after the negative test results for the novel coronavirus.
Among them, France announced the suspension of all personnel travel from the United Kingdom, including freight personnel related to roads, railways, aviation and waterways, for 48 hours from 24:00 local time on the 20th.
Due to French restrictions, the ferry terminal from Dover Harbor to France has been closed.
McKenzie, head of policy at the British Road Transport Association, said that the French ban would have a “devastating impact” on the British supply chain and even risk the interruption of the supply of imported food.
On the 21st, the European Union held an emergency meeting on the variability of the novel coronavirus to discuss whether to issue a comprehensive traffic ban on the UK on this matter.
A European diplomat said, “The participants expressed their support for rapid action to agree on a concerted approach among EU countries to deal with the UK, and called on the Executive Committee to formulate a direction.”
A source said that EU ambassadors will also meet on the 22nd to discuss and determine the way to finally lift the border restrictions on the UK, including requiring all immigration personnel to be subject to virus testing.
