Covid-19: Concerns about coronavirus mutation in England

New executive coronavirus which is probably related to the increase in cases in southeast England, is troubling experts, at a time when mass vaccinations have begun on the other side of the Atlantic, following the emergency approval of the vaccine by companies. Pfizer/BioNTech against coronavirus.

«We have identified a new coronavirus variant, which may be related to the rapid increase in cases in south-east England. Initial analysis suggests that this variant grows faster than existing variants. We have identified more than 1,000 cases with this variant, mainly in southern England, although cases have been identified in nearly 60 different areas and the numbers are rising rapidly,» said British Health Minister Matt Hancock., Matt Hancock.

Over the last 24 hours, vaccine distribution procedures have been accelerated, with the first 2.9 million vaccines earmarked for doctors, nursing staff, and vulnerable groups.

In six of the 14 hospitals in Washington vaccinations have begun, and gradually everything will be included in the program, along with pharmacies. In George Washington Hospital, When the first batch of 975 vaccines arrived, nurses came outside and applauded, visibly moved, some even in tears, images that capture the relief that prevails in the country for the first time in months. In consultation with the mayor of the city, the first five people to receive the vaccine have already been selected, namely firefighters and nurses from the emergency services.

In total, the US capital will receive approximately 6,800 vaccines in this first phase, a number determined based on the population of each state, in this case the Washington region.

The first vaccination in the country was administered in New York to a nurse at Queens Hospital Center, with New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, to be present during the proceedings.

Cuomo spoke about the weapon now available to the scientific community «to win the war,» while his statement was enthusiastic. Donald Trump, who exclaimed, «Congratulations, America!».

The first phase of distribution to 636 preset points across the country will be completed on Wednesday, with the next phase of the most difficult vaccination effort in US history, which involves distributing vaccines to hospitals.

The first shipments of the vaccine Pfizer – BioNTech also reached Canada. The first vaccination took place in Toronto.

In Europe the situation does not seem to be improving, with Germany to take extremely strict restrictive measures for the holiday period, but also to Netherlands to go into general lockdown for the first time. The German Health Minister issued an appeal via Twitter to European Medicines Agency to proceed as quickly as possible with the approval of the vaccine.

Η Spain announced that the first vaccinations are expected to take place in the country on January 4, while in Italy The economic impact of the pandemic appears to have caused serious problems. In Milan the lines for food aid are constantly growing. In Rome People flooded shops and restaurants, causing concern.

In Britain, where the vaccine continues to be administered, the Health Minister announced that London and the surrounding areas are entering the highest level of coronavirus measures. Bars, restaurants, and pubs will be closed from Wednesday, while earlier Mayor Sadiq Khan called for schools to close earlier in view of the holidays.