OREANDA-NEWS. In the Netherlands, Denmark and Australia, a new strain of coronavirus, previously identified in the United Kingdom, was discovered. This was reported by BBC, citing the World Health Organization (WHO). Earlier, the WHO informed that they are in close contact with the British authorities because of the new type of COVID-19, and promised to tell the public about its characteristics.

A new strain of coronavirus was registered in the United Kingdom in mid-December. The British Department of Health and Social Care reported that the new virus SARS-CoV-2 is spreading faster than previously known strain, and it has become dominant in London. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that the new strain is 70 % more infectious than the first virus. In connection with this situation, Johnson announced the introduction of new restrictions in London and south-eastern parts of England. After England, the authorities of Scotland and Wales also announced introduction of tougher restrictive measures.