ANI
26 Nov 2021, 07:25 GMT+10
Hong Kong, November 26 (ANI): Hong Kong has detected a newly identified COVID-19 variant --- B.1.1.529 --- causing a spike in new Covid-19 infections in South Africa, according to local media reports.
This news, with a large number of spike protein mutations, has led the UK to impose a travel ban from some African countries. It has also been declared a Variant under Investigation (VuI) by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
"These are potentially biologically significant mutations which may change the behaviour of the virus with regards to vaccines, treatments and transmissibility. More investigation is required," UK Health Security Agency said in a statement.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for a special meeting to discuss the new Covid variant.
"We don't know very much about this yet. What we do know is that this variant has a large number of mutations. And the concern is that when you have so many mutations, it can have an impact on how the virus behaves," Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO's the technical lead on Covid-19, said in a briefing.
Reportedly, the new variant was found earlier in two men quarantined at the Regal Airport Hotel in Chek Lap Kok. The Hong Kong health authorities confirmed that the new variant was brought in by one of the men who had flown in from South Africa.
The first patient then allegedly passed on the virus to another man who was staying in a neighbouring room at the hotel, The Straits Times reported citing Hong Kong public broadcaster RTHK.
The probe into the two cases showed that they had highly similar genetic sequences, adding that the viruses they carried belong to the B.1.1.529 variant, according to Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection (CHP).
Media reports say that scientific information on the public health significance of this lineage is lacking at the moment. Therefore, it is classified by the WHO as 'variants under monitoring'.
The first patient was found to have worn a reusable mask with an air valve, and further investigation found that the mask had contributed to the spread of the virus to the second man, RTHK reported. (ANI)Get a daily dose of Sports Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Sports Sun.
More Information(Photo credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images) Michael Lorenzen pitched seven scoreless innings and won for the first time in nearly a...
(Photo credit: Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images) Dallas Cowboys All-Pro kick returner KaVontae Turpin is facing misdemeanor charges of possession...
(Photo credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images) Mickey Moniak finished a double shy of the cycle, Michael Toglia also went deep, and the...
(Photo credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images) Yandy Diaz's go-ahead double in a three-run 10th inning enabled the struggling Tampa...
(Photo credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images) Trevor Story and Ceddanne Rafaela each homered to help the visiting Boston Red Sox complete...
(Photo credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images) Trevor Story and Ceddanne Rafaela each homered to help the visiting Boston Red Sox complete...
(Photo credit: Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images) Dallas Cowboys All-Pro kick returner KaVontae Turpin is facing misdemeanor charges of possession...
(Photo credit: Paul Witwer/Standard-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images) The Dallas Cowboys are donating $500,000 to the Salvation...
(Photo credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images) Veteran wide receiver Chase Claypool, who hasn't played in the NFL since 2023, is confident...
(Photo credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-Imagn Images) Since COVID-19 canceled the 2020 CFL season, the Edmonton Elks have tried multiple...
(Photo credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images) Sacramento State head coach Brennan Marion reached into Southeastern Conference territory...
(Photo credit: Paul Witwer/Standard-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images) The Houston Texans announced a $500,000 commitment...