The emergence of a new strain of the coronavirus in the UK sparked panic around the world, leading a dozen capitals to cancel flights with the isolated country.
However, the World Health Organization tried to issue a reassuring message on Monday, saying the new strain of the virus “is not getting out of hand.”
“We have recorded a DR (virus reproduction rate) much higher than 1.5 at various times during this pandemic, and we have kept it under control. In that sense, this situation has not gotten out of hand, ”said WHO head of health emergencies, Michael Ryan, in a press conference.
His statements contrast with those of UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who claimed on Sunday that “the new form of coronavirus was getting out of hand.”
Distribution of vaccines
While this new strain has sparked a wave of fear about an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, the European Commission announced yesterday that it was approving the distribution in the EU of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Hours earlier, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) gave the green light for emergency use.
“The European Medicines Agency has thoroughly researched this vaccine and concluded that it is safe and effective against covid-19. According to this scientific evaluation, it was authorized on the European Union market, ”said Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen. The mutation of the virus has closed many countries’ borders with the United Kingdom, less than two weeks before this country’s departure from the European internal market. The move has wreaked havoc in the ports, particularly in Dover, as concerns over the supply of fresh produce, such as fruits and vegetables, increase in the week leading up to Christmas.
The port of Dover, which mainly serves France, announced its closure to outbound traffic. Several countries, including France and Canada, decided on Sunday to suspend all travel from British soil for a few days. Sweden also announced the closure of its borders with Denmark, where cases of the new variant of the coronavirus have been discovered.