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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Japan says it found new coronavirus variant similar to UK strain

Japan says it found new coronavirus variant similar to UK strain

Published Jan 11, 2021 08:27 am

Japan’s National Institute of Infectious Diseases said authorities have found a new strain of the coronavirus in four passengers arriving from Brazil.

People walk through a crossing in the Shinjuku area of Tokyo on January 8, 2021 during the first day under a state of emergency over the coronavirus pandemic. (Photo by Behrouz MEHRI / AFP)

The new variant has similarities to strains found in the U.K. and South Africa, the NIID said in a statement on Sunday. The information about the new variant is limited to its genetic make-up, and it’s difficult to immediately determine how infectious the strain is or the effectiveness of current vaccines against it, the institute said.

In a separate statement, Japan’s Ministry of Health said the four passengers who arrived at Japan’s Haneda airport from Brazil on Jan. 2 were later diagnosed with a variant of the virus. One male in his 40s, who was asymptomatic upon arrival, was hospitalized as his respiratory system worsened.

The NIID has informed the World Health Organization of the new strain, the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper reported, adding the institute is investigating if the variant causes more severe cases.

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