The increase in Coronavirus cases especially in the United Kingdom has been attributed to a new variant of the virus. According to report, the new variant was identified in Nigeria by scientists at the Africa Center of Excellence fke Genomics of Infectious Diseases(ACEGID) at the Redeemers University in Ede, Osun State.
The new variant, B.1.1.7, was also detected in the UK in September and has been said to be the cause of the current high spike in the cases of Covid-19 in most parts of the United Kingdom (UK). As a result of that, most countries have banned travels to and from UK and stay at home tier 4 level restrictions placed in affected parts of the country.
The scientists at ACEGID through a publication in the website for the global Genomics Community, Virological, stated that the new variant was also found in Osun State since August 3rd and a second sample also collected in October corresponded with the same variant.
According to Professor Christian Happi, who is also the director at ACEGID, the increase in Covid-19 cases presently cannot be attributed to the new variant as the variant has been discovered in Nigeria when there was no surge in number of cases unlike in the UK. He also said that there have no sufficient evidence to prove that B.1.1.7 lineage has anything to do with increased transmission of the virus in Nigeria.
In his remarks, the Director General , Nigerian Center For Diseases Control, NCDC Chikwe Ihekweazu took to Twitter to say that while the data is being studied in Nigeria and as they await additional guidance from World Health Organization on new strains causing the virus, travelers must implement travel protocol.
Also , according to reports, UK health Secretary Matt Hancock said the new strain was out of control, while admitting that this was an incredibly difficult end to a challenging year.
