New variant of SARS-CoV-2 puts London under lockdown

LONDON: London will be placed under the highest level of coronavirus restrictions from December 15 due to a sharp spike in COVID-19 cases in the capital city of Britain and its neighboring areas. The lockdown to be imposed is Tier-3, which means near-complete lockdown where hospitality venues have been asked to shut except for takeaways and deliveries.

Matt Hancock, Health Secretary of the United Kingdom, said that a new variant of the SARS-CoV-2 has been identified in the nation. He added that this variant of the virus can be associated with the fastest spread of COVID-19 infection witnessed in the southeast of England. The experts have identified over 1000 cases with the variant in the England so far.

Hancock told the House of Commons that there was need for swift and decisive action and mentioned that mobile testing and community testing are being expanded in view of the spread. He said, “The World Health Organisation has been notified about the variant,” and added that “it is unlikely to cause more serious disease than other variants of the coronavirus.”