December 20th , the World Health Organization said that it was maintaining close contact with British officials about a new variant of the novel coronavirus in the country.
According to Reuters, WHO said on social media that the UK will continue to share research information and analysis results on this new variant of the novel coronavirus, and WHO will also provide Member States and the public with more up-to-date information on the characteristics and effects of the virus variant.
Earlier, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and scientists confirmed that a new variant of the novel coronavirus found in the United Kingdom is 70% more contagious than the ordinary coronavirus.
The British side said that the new variant may have been transmitted abroad, and the most urgent task is to ensure that this variant of the virus does not lead to higher mortality.
The British government also announced on the 19th that the level of COVID-19 prevention and control in parts of the capital, including London, will be raised to a new level 4 to curb the spread of the virus.
Johnson said at the epidemic press conference on the same day that from the 20th, London, southeast and eastern England will be upgraded from the current level of prevention and control to level four for two weeks, which is similar to the large-scale “foot ban” measures introduced in England in November this year.
