While the third wave of the pandemic in Greece is in full progress, confirmed cases of coronavirus mutations have sharply increased as well. Among the cases are also some where mutations of the British and the South African mutations have been detected.
B.1.1.7 continues to gain ground in Greece, According latest data released by the Greek Genomic Surveillance Network, a total of 2,467 cases of British variant Β.1.1.7/UK lineage (Variant VOC_202012) have been identified, so far.
In contrast, the South African variant B.1.351/South Africa (Variant 501.V2) appears much less widespread, with just 55 cases identified in the country.
Reporting on the results of its study of SARS-CoV-2 variants from 482 samples taken from February 2 to March 9, the network on Thursday said that it confirmed 430 variants of concern, of which 426 were identified as Β.1.1.7 and four as B.1.351.
The network’s scientists also concluded their analysis of 238 samples taken between October 6 and December 29, confirming just six VOCs, of which three were the UK variant, pointing to the growing prevalence of the more contagious strain.
Many cases of the British variant have been detected in Athens and Crete.
Mutations are considered as more contagious than the original strain.
Would like to know how the ‘British Variant’ has got into Greece as there are no flights from UK!
I can’t even book my holiday to Rhodes for this year as UK Government has said we are unable to leave the country!
came apparently via Dubai – BTW people still travel for health, business, family reunion etc
People travel via certain countries to get here as they think they are clever and then bring the virus with them. No brains and selfish
As far as I am aware anybody flying internationally must have a negative COVID test, before they are allowed to board the plane, and for the arrival at their destination.
If this is right, then what I have been personally saying from the very start of these tests to travel,
Doing them three days before departure is a complete and utter waste of time.
All that test is doing is proving that at the actual time of the test they are either positive, of negative.
So someone could have a test in the morning, go to a busy market in the afternoon, or something similar, and come into contact with someone who is COVID positive, and isn’t aware of it.
The following morning the person who had the COVID test to travel gets their result to say they are negative and safe to travel.
AND THERE PEOPLE IS THE PROBLEM111