First case of new Covid-19 variant detected in France
The new strain is reportedly 50 to 74% more contagious
Health authorities in France have confirmed that they have detected the first case of the new variant of Covid-19 that has been circulating in the UK.
It was found in an individual in Tours (Indre-et-Loire), the Direction Générale de la Santé confirmed on Friday (December 25). The Frenchman, who is a resident in England, is asymptomatic and is self-isolating at his home. He arrived in France from the UK on December 19.
Health authorities are tracing the man’s contacts for quarantine purposes.
A new study on the variant, called VOC 202012/01, found that it is between 56 and 74% more transmissible.
The report was carried out by the Centre for the Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases (CMMID) in the UK and published on December 23.
The researchers state that despite the new variant being more contagious, “we were unable to find clear evidence that VOC 202012/01 results in greater or lesser severity of disease than pre-existing variants”.
“Nevertheless, the increase in transmissibility is likely to lead to a large increase in incidence, with COVID-19 hospitalisations and deaths projected to reach higher levels in 2021 than were observed in 2020, even if regional tiered restrictions implemented before December 19 are maintained.
“We project that large resurgences of the virus are likely to occur following easing of control measures. It may be necessary to greatly accelerate vaccine roll-out to have an appreciable impact in suppressing the resulting disease burden,” the report states.
In France, the health ministry has said that authorities are mobilised to identify each contaminated patient as early as possible in order to isolate them, isolate their contacts and test them, in order to prevent the spread of Covid-19 variants throughout the country.
Due to the new Covid-19 variant there is a travel ban on UK citizens entering France that will remain in place until at least January 6.
UK-France travel ban: How long will it last, who can travel?
Another case of the new variant has been detected in Germany, the first in the country, 50 kilometres from Strasbourg in the east of France.
Read more:
Travel form for Britons moving to France before end of year
UK-France border closure: Can second home owners come?
UK-France travel: Finding the right Covid antigen test
