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| On the 21st, at Santiago International Airport, Chile, an overseas entrant is waiting to undergo a corona19 diagnostic test. © Reuters = News 1 |
The novel coronavirus mutation, first reported in the UK in September, appeared in about 30 countries around the world within three months.
Most of these viral mutations were detected in UK visitors and in close contact with visitors, but there are cases of infection that do not correspond to this type, raising the possibility that this virus mutation is already prevalent in countries.
According to Reuters and others on the 29th (local time), the first person infected with the mutant virus appeared in the United States, where the cumulative number of new coronavirus infections (Corona 19) and the number of deaths are the highest in the world.
The US state of Colorado said on the day that “a man in his 20s was infected with a mutated novel coronavirus and is currently in quarantine.” However, it was found that the man did not have a recent history of visiting the UK and so on, like a couple confirmed to be infected with a mutant virus in Ontario, Canada on the 26th.
Accordingly, the local health authorities have initiated an epidemiological investigation such as tracking the contact with the man. In Colorado, in addition to the man in his 20s, a patient suspected of having a mutant virus is reported to be conducting a close examination of the viral genome.
In Canada, at least six mutant virus infections have been confirmed in four states, including Ontario, Elberta, British Columbia, and Quebec, and the first mutant virus infection has been reported in Chile, South America.
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| On the 22nd, a passenger wearing a mask is leaving the airport at Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Chhatrapati, India. © Reuters = News 1 |
In the case of Europe, the’B. This mutated novel coronavirus infection, named 1.1.7′ (VUI-202012/01), has emerged.
In this regard, the German Daily Develt cited the Hannover Medical University medical staff and reported that “the same type of infectious new coronavirus mutation as found in the UK has also been confirmed in a specimen of a corona19 patient who died in Germany last month.” B.1.1.7 is known to have up to 70% stronger transmission power than the existing novel coronavirus.
In the case of Middle Eastern countries, B.1.1.7 infections were reported in Lebanon, Jordan, and Israel, respectively, and suspicious cases were also reported in Oman, and additional tests are under way. The UAE government also said that “a limited number” of cases of mutant virus infection were confirmed in its country, but did not say whether it was’B.1.1.7′.
In addition, there have also been cases of this mutant virus in Korea, Japan, Australia, India, Pakistan, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
In addition, in Nigeria, South Africa and Malaysia, a novel coronavirus mutation different from B.1.1.7 was found. The same type of mutation as South Africa has also been infected in Switzerland and Finland.
In this regard, governments are reinforcing measures to prevent the influx of mutant viruses, such as extending measures to suspend flights departing from the UK and South Africa, and expanding the number of persons subject to corona19 diagnostic tests upon entry.