UK Coronavirus Strain Detected In At Least 60 Countries: WHO

Geneva: The new coronavirus strain, found in the United Kingdom (UK) has been detected in at least 60 countries, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Wednesday, more than a week ago, The New Indian Express (TNIE) reported.

The South African strain, which like the UK one is believed to be more infectious, has now been reported in 23 countries and territories, the WHO also announced in its weekly update.

The UK strain, first detected in mid-December, is between 50 and 70 per cent more infectious than the original, according to WHO.

While more transmissible, the two variants are not thought to be more deadly and Pfizer and German partner BioNTech have said their vaccines are effective against the mutation found on the British virus variant, known as B117, the report added.