STOCKHOLM (Reuters) – The new variant of the coronavirus linked to a rapid increase in infections in Britain has been discovered in Sweden after a traveler from the UK fell ill and tested positive, the Swedish health authority said Saturday.
Sara Byfors, a health department official, told a press conference that the traveler had isolated herself and that no positive cases had been detected so far.
The unidentified traveler was staying in Sormland, south of Stockholm, according to Signe Makitalo, a regional infection control physician. The new variant is believed to be more transferable than others currently in circulation.
“The person who tested positive with the virus traveled from Britain to Sormland for a Christmas visit,” said Makitalo, adding that the risk of further contamination from the case was considered extremely limited.
Sweden imposed travel restrictions on UK passengers earlier this month out of concern about the variant. Similar measures have been taken by several other countries in the EU and around the world.
Reporting by Niklas Pollard; Adaptation by Johan Ahlander and Mike Harrison