Ifah Sakinah
Image credit: Jakayla Toney
Reports of a new variant of COVID-19 that first emerged in the United Kingdom has taken the world by storm. According to British analysis, it is said to be more contagious – up to 70% more transmissible than the old variant. This incites fear that the pandemic might exacerbate. First identified in the United Kingdom sometime in September, it has since reached the shores of a handful of countries all over the world. Following is a list of countries that have detected infections from the new coronavirus variant.
Singapore
Singapore confirmed its first case of the new coronavirus strain on 23 December. The patient is a 17-year-old female who had returned from the United Kingdom, where she was studying since August. According to the Ministry of Health, she has been isolated upon arrival and there is no evidence that the B117 strain is circulating in the community. As of 23 December, Singapore has banned long-term pass holders and short-term visitors with recent travel to the United Kingdom from entering the country.
Also read: Singapore To Begin COVID-19 Vaccinations On 30 Dec 2020
Japan
Japan confirmed five cases of the new coronavirus strain on 25 December. It has banned entries from all countries in an attempt to curtail the spread of the new coronavirus variant that originated in the United Kingdom. This rule will not apply to Japanese national and foreign residents. They are permitted to enter but are required to self-quarantine for a period of 14 days.
Also read: Japan Bans Travel From All Countries Till 31 Jan 2021
South Korea
South Korea confirmed three cases of the new coronavirus strain. The family of three, who reside in the United Kingdom, came to South Korea on 22 December.
Lebanon
Lebanon confirmed its first case of the new coronavirus strain. The patient arrived on a Middle East Airlines flight from London on 21 December.
Australia
Australia confirmed two cases of the new coronavirus strain in its New South Wales state.
Denmark
Denmark identified 33 new cases of the new coronavirus strain. This came as the country carried out COVID-19 tests between 14 November and 14 December.
France
France confirmed its first case of the new coronavirus strain. The patient is a French citizen residing in Britain who returned home on 19 December. According to the French health ministry, he is asymptomatic and currently self-isolating at home.
Germany
Germany reported its first case of the new coronavirus variant. The infected person flew from London Heathrow to Frankfurt on 20 December. Individuals who have been in close contact with the patients have been identified, with some placed on quarantine.
Italy
Italy registered two new patients with the new coronavirus variant this week. The couple had landed at the Fiumicino Airport from the United Kingdom.
Spain
Spain confirmed four cases of the new coronavirus variant. The patient had all arrived from the United Kingdom.
Sweden
A traveller arriving from the United Kingdom fell ill and was later tested positive for the new coronavirus variant.
Switzerland
Switzerland confirmed three cases of the new coronavirus variant. Two of the patients are residents in Britain.
The Netherlands
The Netherlands identified 11 people infected with the new coronavirus variant. 5 of them hail from the Amsterdam region, another 5 from the Rotterdam region and 1 from the Nijmegen region.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom was the first country to report the new coronavirus variant back in September. The government has enforced a strict Christmas lockdown as the new strain was spreading very quickly. The strict measures might stay in place until vaccinations become more widely accessible.
Canada
Canada detected two cases of the new coronavirus variant. The two patients have no travel history to the United Kingdom.
