A coronavirus variant first discovered in Brazil has been detected in the UK, a British virologist has said.
Professor Barclay, the head of the G2P-UK National Virology Consortium – said one of two variants found in the south American country was probably introduced ‘some time ago’.
But she didn’t make it clear whether the variant that has been found in the country is the one which has been causing experts concern recently, according to Sky News.
Speaking during a new variant research group briefing, she said: ‘In the databases, if you search the sequences, you will see that there is some evidence for variants from around the world, and I believe including the Brazilian one, which probably was introduced some time ago. And that will be being traced very carefully.’
Earlier Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary, said he was ‘not aware’ of any cases of the new Brazilian strain in the UK.
Flights between the UK and South America have been banned in an effort to stop the spread of the variant as experts don’t yet know if it is resistant to vaccines.
This is a breaking news story – more to follow
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