Javid-'Nu' Variant 'Huge International Concern', But UK 'In Strong Position'

Chris Smyth at The Times tweets comments from Health Secretary Sajid Javid speaking to the Commons on the new 'Nu' COVID-19 variant: "Sajid Javid tells MPs that new variant is "of huge international concern" and it is "highly likely" that it has spread to countries beyond South Africa, Hong Kong and Botswana. Javid says "early indication show this variant may be more transmissible than the Delta [variant], and current vaccines may be less effective against it. It may also impact the effectiveness of one of our major treatments, Ronapreve".

• "Javid suggests further countries could be added to red list to slow arrival of the variant: "We are continuing to make assessments, including about those countries with strong travel links" to South Africa. Javid insists there is no need for further domestic restrictions as Britain "remains in a strong position".Says the government will continue to rely on boosters for controlling the virus, and says getting jabs "could not be more important" in light of the variant"
• UK has already put South Africa and 5 others on the 'red list' of nations requiring quarantine in a guarded hotel on arrival to the country.

Source: JHU, MNI. Each dot indicates individual day's data.