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Italy detects new mutated coronavirus strain in returnee from UK: Health Ministry

Just Earth News | @justearthnews | 20 Dec 2020, 08:35 pm Print

Italy detects new mutated coronavirus strain in returnee from UK: Health Ministry Italy COVID19

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Rome/UNI: The new coronavirus strain with mutations has been detected in Italy in a person who recently returned from the United Kingdom, the Italian Health Ministry said on Sunday.

On Saturday, the UK government practically locked down parts of the country, including London, after admitting that more than half of all new COVID-19 cases had been caused by a mutated, more infectious coronavirus strain.

"The patient and their partner returned from the United Kingdom several days ago, landing in Rome's Fiumicino airport. They are now isolated and have observed, together with family and close contacts, all procedures proscribed by the health authorities," the ministry said in a press release.

According to the communication, the genome of the UK coronavirus strain has been established by experts of the Celio military hospital in Rome.