Health minister: Coronavirus mutation detected 'all over Austria'
Austria’s Health Minister has confirmed the new coronavirus mutation has been detected “more or less distributed all over Austria”.
Health Minister Rudolf Anschober made the statement on Friday, after confirming that more than 100 cases had been so far detected in Austria.
'We really have a problem': Austria considers lockdown extension due to Covid mutation
"These are more or less distributed all over Austria," Anschober said.
The new variant - named B.1.1.7 and first detected in the United Kingdom - grounded flights cross the continent and led to tighter entry restrictions in many countries.
The variant is believed to be between 50 and 70 percent more infectious than the known varieties.
The news was not all bad, however.
"The good news is that all previous measures are also effective against B.1.1.7," said Anschober, allaying fears that vaccinations and treatments may not work against the mutation.
Austrian authorities met on Friday to discuss extending the current lockdown beyond January 25th.
The minister indicated an extension would be likely, however some changes may be made. More information is available in the following link.
READ MORE: What coronavirus lockdown measures will apply after January 25th?
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Health Minister Rudolf Anschober made the statement on Friday, after confirming that more than 100 cases had been so far detected in Austria.
'We really have a problem': Austria considers lockdown extension due to Covid mutation
"These are more or less distributed all over Austria," Anschober said.
The new variant - named B.1.1.7 and first detected in the United Kingdom - grounded flights cross the continent and led to tighter entry restrictions in many countries.
The variant is believed to be between 50 and 70 percent more infectious than the known varieties.
The news was not all bad, however.
"The good news is that all previous measures are also effective against B.1.1.7," said Anschober, allaying fears that vaccinations and treatments may not work against the mutation.
Austrian authorities met on Friday to discuss extending the current lockdown beyond January 25th.
The minister indicated an extension would be likely, however some changes may be made. More information is available in the following link.
READ MORE: What coronavirus lockdown measures will apply after January 25th?
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