The head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, warned that the new strain of coronavirus B.1.1.529 may be more contagious.
For this reason, it is possible that this mutation will quickly spread throughout the world – within a few months. A lockdown cannot be ruled out.
The situation with the new mutation of the coronavirus was discussed at a meeting of the head of the EC with scientists, media reports citing a message from the press center of the European Commission.
Thus, the assumption was voiced that the next mutation of the pathogen could spread throughout the world in just a few months.
Ursula von der Leyen called on Europeans to be decisive and united, and to suspend air traffic with South Africa.
Tourists who return from the designated region will be required to follow “strict quarantine rules,” the head of the EC emphasized.
The new coronavirus variant B.1.1.529 was first entered into the database on November 11 this year.
The infection occurred in Botswana, another 77 cases were identified in South Africa, then the pathogen was identified in Israel, Hong Kong, and now in Belgium.
Countries on the African continent, some EU member states, as well as Israel, Malaysia, Singapore and Japan have already restricted air traffic with Botswana.
No cases of coronavirus B.1.1.529 infection have been identified in Russia yet.
Scientists call the peculiarity of this strain a large number of mutations of the S-protein, which allows the coronavirus to penetrate the body’s cells.
The mutation could occur in the body of a patient infected with HIV or suffering from AIDS.
