Newer, faster Covid strain sends London into strictest lockdown, WHO to probe variant
India TodayUK, where the vaccination against Covid-19 has already begun, is set to enter into the highest level of coronavirus restrictions starting Wednesday. This new variant is responsible for "faster spread which is leading to cases doubling in some areas every seven days," Health Secretary Matt Hancock said adding that "swift and decisive action" is the need of the hour. "We have currently identified over 1,000 cases with this variant predominantly in the south of England, although cases have been identified in nearly 60 different local authority areas," Hancock told British MPs. pic.twitter.com/QxKuwr9qs5 — Matt Hancock December 14, 2020 The World Health Organisation acknowledged this new strain of the virus with the body's top emergencies expert Mike Ryan telling a news briefing in Geneva, "We are aware of this genetic variant reported in 1,000 individuals in England." pic.twitter.com/PzNhGAsA5Y — Matt Hancock December 14, 2020 However, neither British authorities nor the WHO have asserted that this new strain of the coronavirus could fail to respond to a vaccine.