UK records first case of new COVID-19 variant

The United Kingdom Health Security Agency, UKHSA, on Friday
detected the first case of COVID-19 variant BA.2.86 in the country.

UKHSA in a statement on its website, UKHSA disclosed that
the new COVID-19 variant was detected in an individual with no recent travel
history.

Dr Meera Chand, the Deputy Director of UKHSA said “We are
aware of a confirmed case in the UK. We will provide further information in due
course after undertaking detailed assessment.”

On Thursday, the US health authorities and the World Health Organisation, WHO said they were
closely monitoring a new variant of Covid-19.

Although, the potential impact of BA.2.86 is currently
unknown as WHO designated the virus as a ‘variant under monitoring’ following
the large number of mutations it carries.

The BA.2.86 variant has also been identified in Denmark,
Israel and the USA.