More than 1,000 cases of a new variant of the coronavirus have been identified, mainly in southeast England, according to British Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who added that the variant may be associated with a rapid rise in infection levels in the area.
The government said on Monday that London will move into Englands highest tier of Covid-19 restrictions, citing an exponential rise in infection rates as one of the worlds richest cities struggles to contain the disease.
Over the last week, weve seen very sharp, exponential rises in the virus across London, Kent, parts of Essex and Hertfordshire, Hancock told the House of Commons in a statement, referring to counties near London.
We do not know the extent to which this is because of the new variant, but no matter its cause, we have to take swift and decisive action, he said, announcing that the entire capital and some neighbouring areas would go into High Alert level.
Hancock said there was currently nothing to suggest that the new strain was likely to cause more serious disease or that it would not respond to a vaccine.
Englands Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty also said on Monday that there was no evidence that the variant caused worse or different symptoms.
There are many variants. It just happens that this one has quite a few more mutations than some of the other variants, so thats the reason why weve taken it particularly seriously, Whitty said.
But theres nothing to suggest that the symptoms are different, that the testing is different, or that the clinical outcome is different for this variant, he said during a news conference.
The World Health Organization is aware of the new Covid-19 strain, but there is no evidence the strain behaves differently from existing types of the virus, the health body said on Monday.
We are aware of this genetic variant reported in 1,000 individuals in England, the WHOs top emergencies expert Mike Ryan told a news briefing in Geneva. Authorities are looking at its significance. We have seen many variants, this virus evolves and changes over time.
Earlier this month, the British government implemented a three-tiered system of restrictions in England to try to keep a second wave of the virus under control after a month-long national lockdown.
More than 40 per cent of citizens were placed in the highest risk category.
However London, whose 9 million people and world-leading financial centre make it the engine of the British economy, is currently only in the second highest tier of restrictions. The tougher Tier 3 restrictions will come into force in the capital from Midnight on Wednesday.
The main difference between the top two tiers is that bars and restaurants, which can stay open under certain conditions in Tier 2, must close their doors in Tier 3 and can operate only takeaway services. There are also additional restrictions on socialising, but workplaces and schools are told to remain open.
Moving into Tier 3 before Christmas will be deeply disappointing for Londoners, and a terrible blow to the capitals hospitality, leisure and cultural sectors, said John Dickie, Director of Strategy and Policy at business campaign group London First.
London was one of the first parts of the country to be hit by the coronavirus during the initial peak between March and May, but until recently a second wave has been more concentrated in northern and central England.
Data published last week showed case rates per 100,000 people in London stood at 191.8, putting the city ahead of regions that have stricter rules in place, such as the West Midlands.
Based on that data, the government raised concerns about the spread of the virus in London schools and announced a programme of mass testing. Two London boroughs, Greenwich and Islington, have unilaterally decided to close their schools altogether.
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