The “English variant” plays with European borders.
The day after the review of an infected person in France, four confirmed cases of contamination by this strain of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus discovered in the United Kingdom were detected in Madrid, for the first time in Spain.
All of the cases concern people who have recently arrived from the United Kingdom, the number two health authority in the region, Antonio Zapatero, said at a press conference.
“The patients are not seriously ill, we know that this strain is transmitted more easily but it does not cause more severe cases of the disease,” he said, adding that “there is no need to be alarmed ”.
Other results expected Tuesday or Wednesday
This variant is indeed between 50 and 74% more contagious, but there is no indication for the moment that it causes more serious forms of Covid-19.
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Three other suspected cases of contamination by this British variant in Spain are also being examined and the results will be available next Tuesday or Wednesday, added Antonio Zapatero.
Spain has since Tuesday suspended, like many other countries, passenger arrivals from the United Kingdom, except for Spaniards or residents of Spain.
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