[AFP = 연합뉴스]– In the UK, where large-scale vaccinations of the novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19) vaccine began, the spread of infection, which is believed to be caused by a variant virus, has steepened, and the government has stepped up counter measures.
According to BBC broadcasts on the 14th (local time), British Health Minister Matt Hancock attended the House of Representatives that day and announced that London’s response to Corona 19 will be upgraded from the previous stage 2 to stage 3 starting on the 16th.
In addition to London, the Essex and Hertfordshire regions in southeast England were also designated in three phases.
In areas where Phase 3 is in place, all pubs, bars and restaurants are only allowed for delivery, packaging, and drive-through operations. Hotels and indoor entertainment venues should also be closed. You cannot meet other household members indoors, and you can only hang out with up to 6 people outdoors, such as in a park. Entry of visitors to professional sports events is again banned.
Secretary Hancock explained that immediate action should be taken to slow down the rapid and exponential rate of infection.
In particular, it discovered a strain of coronavirus, which could be the cause of a surge in infections in southern regions including London over the weekend, Hancock estimates. “There have been more than 1,000 cases of new strains reported so far in at least 60 regions, mainly in southern England,” he said.
However, it is said that the possibility that the variant virus causes more serious symptoms or does not respond to the vaccine has yet to be discovered.
Secretary Hancock has informed the WHO of the coronavirus strain, and said scientists in the UK are conducting research to determine the details.
Experts are paying close attention to the appearance of the strain at the time the large-scale COVID-19 vaccination began in the UK, but it is too early to judge how this strain will affect the vaccine.
“Efforts are underway to determine the nature and reason for this variant,” said Alan McNally, professor at the University of Birmingham. “He said.
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