UK-Origin COVID-19 Variant Spreads to at Least 60 Countries

[Image source= EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] According to major foreign media citing the World Health Organization (WHO) announcement on the 20th (local time), the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) variant first identified in the United Kingdom has been detected in at least 60 countries.

The variant virus was first discovered in the UK on the 11th of last month. In 40 days, it has spread to 60 countries, averaging about 1.5 countries per day.

WHO also reported that the highly transmissible variant from South Africa, like the UK variant, has been found in 23 countries and regions.

Therefore, global quarantine measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are expected to be further strengthened. German Chancellor Angela Merkel extended the lockdown order, originally set to end on the 31st of this month, until the 14th of next month, and proposed strengthening border controls between European countries to block the variant virus.

The global cumulative death toll from COVID-19 has surpassed 2 million. In the past week alone, the number of deaths reached a record high of 93,000, with 4.7 million new confirmed cases reported.

The European Union (EU) announced yesterday its goal to vaccinate 70% of all adults by August this year.