[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] The first confirmed case of the UK-origin variant of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has been reported in Argentina.
On the 16th (local time), CNN, citing Argentina's Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, reported that the first confirmed case of the variant virus was an Argentine citizen residing in the UK. The individual entered Argentina at the end of last month via Frankfurt, Germany. Authorities stated that the person was asymptomatic upon entry.
Argentina suspended direct flights to and from the UK on the 20th of last month.
The UK-origin variant virus, which is much more contagious than the original virus, was first reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) in mid-last month and has spread to dozens of countries worldwide within a month.
Argentina, which has recorded a cumulative total of 1.78 million confirmed cases so far, reintroduced lockdown measures last week to suppress resurgence, banning nighttime activities and gatherings of more than 10 people.
Meanwhile, Argentina received a second shipment of 200,000 doses of the Sputnik COVID-19 vaccine from Russia on the same day.
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