California and Colorado also found cases involving the variant. None of those infected in the United States recently traveled, so the new strain is clearly circulating, albeit at unknown levels.
The variant, known as B.1.1.7., Is not known to lead to more serious cases of Covid-19, but its circulation probably foreshadows more infections and more hospitalizations at a time when many countries are already battling outbreaks. cases and anticipating more vacation and travel events.
The list of countries that have identified infections with the variant has been growing rapidly and since Friday includes – in addition to the United States, Britain and Turkey – Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany , Iceland, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan and the United Arab Emirates.
In South Africa, a similar version of the virus has emerged, sharing one of the mutations seen in B.1.1.7., According to the scientists who detected it. This variant, known as 501.V2, was found in up to 90% of samples whose genetic sequences have been analyzed in South Africa since mid-November.
British officials said they had detected two cases of the variant identified in South Africa. In both cases, infected people have been in contact with people who have traveled from South Africa to Britain in recent weeks. Switzerland, Finland, Australia, Zambia and France also detected the variant.