New COVID Strain: Here's What What We Know So Far

PHOTO BY Shutterstock

Here's everything we know so far about the new strain of COVID-19 that was first detected in the United Kingdom and is now spreading around the world.

What is this new virus strain?

The virus that causes COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, has evolved or mutated into a new strain. Viruses mutate to adapt to their environment, experts said.

Is this new strain more dangerous?

No, according to Health Sec. Francisco Duque, but it spreads faster compared to the original strain.

"Hindi siya mas grabe o mas serious ang sakit. Mas mabilis lang siyang makahawa," Duque told President Rodrigo Duterte during a December 26 cabinet meeting.

Where is this new virus strain?

It was first reported in the United Kingdom, prompting the Philippines to suspend all inbound travel from the U.K. from December 24 to 31. It has also been reported in Spain and Singapore. On December 26, Manila extended the travel ban for two more weeks after December 31.

Duterte said on December 26 that it was reported in Sabah, administered by Malaysia, which is a short boat ride away from Sulu on the Philippines' southwestern tip.

Has the new virus strain arrived in the Philippines?

Not yet, but it's possible that it could, Duque said. Surveillance of the country's entry points have been tightened. 

It was announced by the health secretary on December 26 that one of the 79 passengers that arrived in the Philippines from the U.K. have tested positive for COVID-19, but it is not yet known if it is the new strain.

Is the Philippines prepared for this new strain?

Duque told Duterte: "We are not defenseless. Kung makakapasok siya Mr. President, please be assured that the systems, the mechanisms, the policies are all in place."

Will there be a new lockdown because of the new virus strain?

"'Yong lockdown is a possibility, I am making a projection. If there is a severity in numbers, it would demand we take corrective measures immediately, then we would just go back to a lockdown," Duterte said.

"Kapag marami na and we do not have the antidote, how to kill those variants, we're having a problem there," he said.

This story originally appeared on Reportr.world. Minor edits have been made by the SPOT.ph editors.

[ArticleReco:{"articles":["84748","84655","84263","84710"], "widget":"You'll Also Want to Read These"}]

Hey, Spotters! Check us out on Viber to join our Community and subscribe to our Chatbot.

Source: Spot PH