UK: admit new strain of coronavirus …

UK Health Minister Matt Hancock acknowledged on Sunday that new strain of coronavirus detected in London and south-east is “out of control” and that is why the government had to act “swiftly and decisively”.

The new strain is not more serious, but it is spreading faster, authorities had warned, a situation the UK has reported to the WHO.

“It is a fatal disease and we have to control it, which is more difficult with this new variant,” Hancock said in an interview with Britain’s Sky News, as quoted by the Europa Press news agency.

Hancock recalled that cases had “skyrocketed” in recent days and warned the country was facing “a very difficult time to control until the vaccine landed.”

He also said that 350,000 people had been vaccinated on Saturday at 8 p.m. “We will go ahead but difficult months await us“he added.

“Everyone, especially those who live in designated level 4 regions, should behave as if they are carrying the virus. This is the only way to regain control, ”he added.

Following the emergence of a new strain of coronavirus which is spreading rapidly in London and in the south-east of England, These regions passed this Sunday from level 3 to 4, the strictest of all, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced.

Level 4 means the effective closure of affected areas, including recreational facilities and non-essential services.

The restriction forces residents to stay at home – with a few exceptions – and to work from home.

Although in principle the initial stipulated duration is two weeks, these restrictions will be reviewed on December 30.

The Minister described as “absolutely irresponsible” the exodus operated the day before by thousands of people who decided to leave London and the south-east of England containment has barely been declared for the two areas due to the rebound in coronavirus cases due to a new strain of accelerated contagion.

“Medical officials have made it clear that people need to unpack their suitcases,” Hancock said, referring to the authorities’ demand for people to stay at home instead of fleeing the affected cities, London in particular.

As with the rest of the country, the Prime Minister has significantly reduced the five days of Christmas during which he planned to ease restrictions in place so far, which will now be limited to just 24 hours.

The opposition recalled that at first Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced an easing of restrictions to coincide with Christmas, but had to back down due to the rebound in business.

“We see the same pattern time and time again: a prime minister who rejects the evidence, ridicules and mocks concerns, hesitates and delays a decision and finally changes his mind at the last minute,” the Party spokeswoman said. Foreign Labor, Lisa Nandy. “It can’t go on like this,” Nandy remarked.

United Kingdom, one of the countries in Europe most affected by the pandemic, exceeded two million people infected and more than 67,000 deaths from the disease.