Belarusian experts have identified the first cases of infection with the “British” strain of coronavirus in the country, according to a message in the Telegram channel of the Ministry of Health of Belarus.
The strain was found in visitors from abroad – from Poland, Ukraine and Egypt. Several more cases of infection have already been identified within the country. The analyzes of these patients revealed characteristic changes in the coronavirus protein that correspond to the “British” variant.
The coronavirus strain, officially named B.1.1.7, was first identified late last year in the UK. Later, this variant of the coronavirus was found in other countries – South Africa, Greece, Denmark.
Scientists have found that it is more infectious than previously spread species and is more efficiently transmitted among younger populations. In mid-February, researchers from the UK, based on preliminary data, concluded that this strain may be more lethal. On average, the risk of death from infection with the “British” strain of coronavirus is 1.53 times higher, first of all, it is more dangerous for the elderly.
In Russia, there were isolated imported cases of the “British strain”, no infections within the country were reported. Rospotrebnadzor claims that the vaccines developed in Russia are effective against it as well as against the usual SARS-CoV-2. In February, the country registered the first test system that can detect the “British” variant of the coronavirus.
Despite this, the authorities nevertheless decided to temporarily restrict air traffic with the UK, the ban was introduced in December and was extended several times. The last announced date for lifting restrictions is March 16.
