New UK mutation of coronavirus detected in returned travellers in NSW - 9News

A new strain of coronavirus currently spreading across the UK has been detected in returned travellers in Australia.

NSW Health Chief Medical Officer Dr Kerry Chant confirmed today there is concern about the mutation, but it is not circulating in the community.

"I'm advised that we've had a couple of UK returned travellers with the particular mutations you're referring to," Dr Chant said in response to a question about the strain.

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said a new mutation of the virus spreading through the UK has been detected in returned travellers in NSW. (9News)

"Can I be very clear that the Avalon cluster strain does not have those mutations.

"But the key point, regardless, is that we need to treat all people with that end-to-end process of making sure that they're not coming in contact and there is not a risk of exposure to any residents in New South Wales."

About 60 per cent of cases in London are believed to be due to this new mutation, and the capital city now has the highest infection rate in England.

"There's no evidence to suggest it is more lethal or causes more severe illness," UK Prime Minister Boris Johnston stressed.

He added there was no proof that vaccines will be less effective against the new strain.

England's chief medical officer, Chris Whitty, said the UK has alerted the World Health Organisation that the new variant identified this week appears to be accelerating the spread of COVID-19.

The government's scientific advisers came to that conclusion based on preliminary modelling figures, and they are continuing to analyse the available data, he said.

Viruses mutate regularly, and scientists have found thousands of different mutations among samples of the virus causing COVID-19.

But many of these changes have no effect on how easily the virus spreads or how severe symptoms are.

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2020-12-21 01:40:00Z
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