Two cases of another new, "more transmissible" COVID-19 variant have been identified in Britain, Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced on Wednesday (local time).
"We've detected two cases of another new variant of coronavirus here in the UK," he told a media briefing.
He said both people are contacts of cases who had travelled from South Africa over the last few weeks. The cases and their contacts are now in quarantine.
"This new variant is highly concerning because it is yet more transmissible and it appears to have mutated further than the [first] new variant that's been discovered in the UK," Hancock said.
Immediate restrictions have been imposed regarding travel from South Africa, with reports that incoming flights from the country will be stopped, according to Sky News.
The revelation comes as case numbers continue to soar, with Britain reporting almost 40,000 new infections. The first mutated variant of the coronavirus - which could be up to 70 percent more transmissible than the original - has contributed to the surge in infections, forcing the government to place huge swathes of the country under its most stringent restrictions.
UK government figures show 744 more people have died within 28 days of testing positive for COVID-19, the highest number since April 29.
Reuters
