Indian virus type threatens British relief

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned that the increase in Indian coronavirus cases could seriously affect British plans to reopen society.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson at Friday’s press conference on the virus situation.picture: Matt Dunham / AP / TT

On Monday, the England region will take the first step towards reopening, as planned. However, uncertainty may arise regarding the final step, which is scheduled to take place on June 21.

I don’t think we need to postpone our roadmap, but this new alternative could pose a dangerous break in development, says Boris Johnson in a press conference and adds:

We will do anything to ensure the safety of the public.

According to the Ministry of Health, the variant virus B.1.617.2 began to spread at an exponential speed in the northwest of England, and to a lesser extent in London.

As a countermeasure, the second dose should be accelerated to 50+ and clinically susceptible.

Variant B.1.617 was identified in India at the end of 2020. It has recently become widespread in India and has been detected in more than 30 other countries. Studies indicate that B.1.617 is more contagious and there are suspicions that it has some ability to escape antibodies from vaccination and previous diseases.