The ‘Horrific” Covid variant has spread to Europe, as Belgium reports a case

The new coronavirus strain has been spread to Belgium, Israel and other countries after it was discovered in Botswana (South Africa), Hong Kong and Hong Kong.

Called B.1.1.529, the bug has 32 mutations – twice as many as the delta variant and experts are cautioning that it could force countries back into lockdowns.

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Belgium has announced that it has identified the first European case of the Covid-19 variant. It was a returnee from abroad who was not vaccinated.

Today, the ‘horrific’ mutation was also discovered in Israel. The country’s health ministry confirmed that one person had been tested positive.

The ministry stated that two additional passengers were also being quarantined in a statement issued today.

It claimed that the patient had just returned from Malawi which borders Mozambique, Tanzania and Malawi.

The fact that the patient had traveled back from Malawi suggests that the variant is moving through Africa.

There are close to 80 cases of the variant in South Africa and experts warn the strain is behind an explosion of new cases, with some regions seeing a six-fold rise in infections in a matter of days.

The mutation has caused alarm across the country, as it has “spread rapidly” among Gauteng’s young population.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said that the country was still collecting information about the variant.

“I ask everyone to be prepared and to fully join in the work around the clock”He said so.

According to Health Secretary Sajid Javid, flights from South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho and Botswana as well as Botswana and Eswatini, will be suspended at midday. All six countries will then be added on the red list.

Javid stated that the South African variant has been identified. “may be more transmissible”Added to the Delta strain “the vaccines that we currently have may be less effective”

Officials are also trying desperately to track down thousands of migrants who have reached South Africa over the past ten working days.

Hong Kong also has two cases of the disease after the patient returned from South Africa.

Although cases have been reported all over the globe, experts say that mutations in viruses is normal and to be expected.

Professor Devi Sridhar spoke on Good Morning Britain today to say that the virus will continue to evolve as long as it has the chance to spread around the globe.

“At some time, one of those mutations may have a selective advantage and will be more transmissible than Alpha and Delta.

“It’s to be expected and people shouldn’t be worried, we will continue to hear about variants.”

She mentioned that the World Health Organisation is holding a meeting today to discuss the variant and give recommendations to governments.

“I think you’re going to see many countries going the same way as Britain , saying we aren’t going to watch and wait like we have in the past. We have a booster programme that has been successful – so why don’t we hold onto the progress we have and limit travel to those places it could be imported from”She said so.