New covid variant from South Africa, “in the United Kingdom, for the moment, no cases have been detected” ‘. But it is a “variant of great international concern” and which could represent ” a substantial risk to public health ”. Thus the British Minister of Health Sajid Javid reported to the House of Commons on the new variant of Covid-19, speaking of an ” evolving situation ” and ” great uncertainty ”.
“We are concerned that this new variant could pose a substantial risk to public health,” said Javid. The new variant B.1.1.529 which has some characteristics common to the Alpha, Beta and Delta variants could be “ more contagious ” than the Delta variant, which was first diagnosed in Britain, the minister said. One of the lessons we have learned from the pandemic, he added, is that “we must move quickly” and as soon as possible.