London, UK (CWBN)_ Health Secretary, Matt Hancock informed parliament that a new strain of Coronavirus has been detected in the UK with over 1000 cases reported by 60 different local authorities, and that the number of cases are increasing rapidly.
He said that thus far there is “nothing to suggest” that the strain would exuberate the disease or that the vaccine developed by Pfizer, which was authorised for emergency use earlier this month, would affect the effectiveness of the vaccine.
The Secretary also noted that that “similar variants have been identified in other countries” over the past months, and that the World Health Organisation has been notified of the development.
He added that “it shows we got to be vigilant and follow the rules, and everyone needs to take personal responsibility not to spread the virus.”
It was later announced that large parts of Essex and Hertfordshire have been placed under Tier III restrictions, meaning that as of Wednesday (16th Dec), about 10.8 million people will be facing the brunt of the lockdowns. This amounts to about 61 percent of the English population.
however, Downing Street has swept aside notions of reviewing the Christmas guidelines.
