Asia to the Middle East... Variant Virus Spreading Across the Globe

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] A variant virus with higher transmissibility than the existing novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) virus is spreading worldwide.

According to major foreign media on the 27th, the variant virus first discovered in the United Kingdom is currently sweeping through Europe and spreading to the Middle East, Asia, Australia, and North America.

In Europe, France, Denmark, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Ireland, and Switzerland have confirmed the variant virus. Canada, Lebanon, Singapore, and Japan have also confirmed variant virus infections.

In almost all cases, the variant virus was traced back to entrants from the United Kingdom. Internal transmission is also a concern. In Japan, the family of a captain in his 30s who returned from the UK and was infected with the variant virus also tested positive for the variant virus. Two infected individuals in Canada have no travel history.

In the United States, although there has been no official announcement from authorities, it is suspected that the variant is already spreading. The Washington Post (WP) pointed out that the US has conducted very few genetic tests so far, so reported cases may be lacking.

The variant virus was first discovered in southern England, UK, last September. The UK government analyzes that the transmissibility of the variant is up to 70% stronger than the existing COVID-19.

London, eastern England, and southeastern England have become the epicenters of the variant spread, with a continuous surge in confirmed cases. According to the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS), two-thirds of confirmed cases in these regions were infected with the variant.

Experts agree that although the variant has become more transmissible, it has not changed enough to neutralize the effectiveness of vaccines. However, concerns are growing because vaccination has only just begun, and it is too early to expect the effects of widespread distribution.

Fears of the variant in various countries have led to border controls. Since those coming from the UK are the starting point of variant infections, regulations on entrants from the UK have become the norm. This month, about 40 countries have restricted entry from the UK.

To make matters worse, a new variant has been discovered in South Africa. The South African variant virus has already been found in the UK.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.